Arson investigation after blaze rips through Coventry hotel

Claire Harrison

6 May 2024 at 11:27 am·1-min read

Police have confirmed that they are treating a fire at a Coventry hotel as arson. Flames tore through the 'grand hall' at the former Allesley Hotel last night (May 5).

Fire crews from all stations in the city - Coventry, Binley, Foleshill and Canley - were called to the abandoned hotel in Birmingham Road at around 7pm following reports of smoke. West Midlands Police told CoventryLive that fire crews called police to the scene around half an hour later.

A spokesperson said: "We received a call from West Midlands Fire Service at 7.30pm last night (5 May) that they were dealing with a fire at an abandoned building on Birmingham Road, Coventry. No one was injured but officers from the fire service believe the fire was started deliberately and we are now investigating this as arson."

As a result, investigating officers have launched a witness appeal. They want to hear from anyone who was in the area at around 7pm and saw anything or anyone acting suspiciously.

"We are asking for anyone with information to get in touch by calling 101 or via Live Chat on our website quoting crime reference 20/468725/24," the police spokesperson said.

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