Fire engulfs historic pub famed for being wonkiest in Britain

A fire has completely destroyed Britain's oldest pub, known for its quirky character, that has been standing since 1765. This unfortunate incident occurred just a few days after the pub was sold to a private buyer with intentions of using it for a different purpose.

Firefighters were summoned on Saturday evening to The Crooked House tavern, located in Himley, near Dudley in the West Midlands. The peculiar establishment acquired its name as a result of gradually sinking into the ground as a consequence of mining subsidence in the vicinity.

The streets in the vicinity were shut down due to visible smoke and fire emerging from the architectural heritage structure, which holds a Grade II listing.

According to a representative from Staffordshire fire and rescue service, numerous teams were present at a significant fire incident that occurred at the tavern and made efforts to quell the flames.

Staffordshire police expressed their collaboration with fire investigators to determine the origin of the fire. A representative for the police force stated, "The fire investigators are currently examining the premises today, while our officers are conducting nearby investigations to gather any relevant details that could aid in the investigation."

Originally, the structure functioned as a rural residence, but it later transformed into a tavern approximately in 1830. Initially called The Siden House, the name derived from the term "siden," which symbolizes "crooked" in the regional Black Country language.

In the 1940s, experts considered it to be dangerous and planned to tear it down. However, Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries stepped in and purchased the building. They took measures, such as using buttresses and girders, to ensure its safety without altering its unique and asymmetrical look.

Since then, it has become a popular spot for tourists due to its unique look and the mind-boggling optical tricks it offers. For instance, one can witness the fascinating sight of coins and marbles seemingly defying gravity and rolling uphill on the inclined bar.

The previous proprietor, Marston's, a British company that manages pubs and hotels, listed the pub for sale in the current year, suggesting a price of £675,000.

A recent post was shared on the pub's Facebook page on 27 July, notifying everyone that The Crooked House has changed ownership. Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that the establishment will welcome customers again. Marston's, the previous owners, have sold the property to a private individual for a different purpose. Regrettably, we do not have any further details regarding this matter. We felt it was important to provide this update to prevent anyone from making a futile trip to the location.

More than 3,500 people have signed a petition that was initiated on July 29th to prevent the pub from being transformed.