‘Wonky pubs’ might sound like a weird kind of made-up description for a dodgy boozer, but the phrase became part of our regular vocabulary after The Crooked House was destroyed in a fire in August.
The famously wonky building was dubbed Britain’s ‘drunkest pub’ for being so mind-bogglingly wonky.
But the fire damaged it so badly it was demolished, leaving behind its remains.
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And on Saturday (30 September), only around five miles away, another wonky pub went up in flames.
Firefighters were called to the Greyhound and Punchbowl in Bilston in the early hours of the morning.
No one was hurt by the incident, but the Grade II listed building was damaged by the flames and smoke.
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West Midlands Police say they are treating the pub fire as arson.
The Greyhound and Punchbowl isn’t quite as wonky as The Crooked House was, but was pretty historic being constructed in the 16th Century, and has crooked exterior beams.
A GoFundMe has now been set up for the man who reportedly lived above the pub.
It claims he ‘has lost everything he owns’, including photography equipment, ‘cherished old photographs and memories’ as well as ‘all the clothes he owns’.
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Dave is now reportedly faced with finding himself a new home.
The fundraising site, which has so far raised over £700, also includes: “Although the pub is insured this doesn’t include Dave’s belongings so we’re all asking that as a community everyone come together and support Dave by donating what you can.
“Hopefully in time we can all come together and help with the clean up but in the meantime let’s try and help this lovely man.”
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Firefighters were called to the pub at 3:40am on Saturday and the fire was put out by 5:20am.
The fire service said a quarter of the ground floor was damaged by the flames.
The fire at the Crooked House is also being investigated as potential arson.
West Midlands Police said in a statement: "We are continuing our enquiries into a suspected arson attack at the Greyhound and Punchbowl in Bilston. Officers are carrying out CCTV and door to door enquiries to find out more about the circumstances of how the fire started.
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"We were called shortly after 4am on 30 September to support West Midlands Fire Service, who believed the fire had been started deliberately. We are hoping anyone who was in the area may have seen more, so anyone with further information can contact us via LiveChat or 101 quoting log 585 of 30 September."
Jess Battison