Factory fire treated as arson

Police are treating as arson a fire in a propane gas tank which caused about 100 Black Country homes to be evacuated.

Fire crews were called to the scene of the fire at an empty factory in St John's Lane in Tipton on Saturday night.

Residents living nearby were given accommodation for the night at a hotel and a local community centre.

The fire burned for about 12 hours before the gas tank was made safe.

Pylon death

It is thought the fire was caused by vandals tampering with the tank's valve.

Local resident Angie Gibson said the lack of security at the disused plant is a cause for concern.

"There's been nothing there for at least 10 years.

"It's been a nightmare. It's fire after fire after fire.

"We had a kid come off the pylon and kill himself and still they do nothing."