This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_midlands/6930807.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Arson suspected in factory blaze Arson suspected over mill blaze
(about 4 hours later)
A massive blaze which destroyed a listed factory building in Walsall is being blamed on arsonists. A massive blaze which destroyed a listed building in Walsall is being blamed on arsonists.
Up to 150 firefighters tackled the fire, which broke out at Shannons Mill, George Street, on Friday night.Up to 150 firefighters tackled the fire, which broke out at Shannons Mill, George Street, on Friday night.
The mill is unoccupied but is the site of a multi-million pound regeneration scheme. At least 60% of the building collapsed, the fire service said.The mill is unoccupied but is the site of a multi-million pound regeneration scheme. At least 60% of the building collapsed, the fire service said.
Police said the fire was being treated as arson and they were keen to trace up to four teenage boys seen in the area.Police said the fire was being treated as arson and they were keen to trace up to four teenage boys seen in the area.
The white youths were seen in the area several times between 1945 BST and 2300 BST.The white youths were seen in the area several times between 1945 BST and 2300 BST.
Burning embers Falling embers
A spokesman for the West Midlands Fire Service said the fire was the largest it had tackled in the past 25 years.A spokesman for the West Midlands Fire Service said the fire was the largest it had tackled in the past 25 years.
The Victorian mill was originally a tanners and firefighters believe it burned so quickly because years' worth of oil had seeped into the beams.
The mill was the centrepiece of a £53m regeneration project
The blaze is now under control but it could take two days to completely extinguish it, the fire service said.The blaze is now under control but it could take two days to completely extinguish it, the fire service said.
Nearby residents were advised to keep all doors and windows shut and to stay away from the scene.Nearby residents were advised to keep all doors and windows shut and to stay away from the scene.
Firefighters were withdrawn to a safer distance as burning embers fell on adjacent properties.Firefighters were withdrawn to a safer distance as burning embers fell on adjacent properties.
One was taken to hospital with a wrist injury but the ambulance service said there were no other casualties.One was taken to hospital with a wrist injury but the ambulance service said there were no other casualties.
Roads closed There were also a number of gas cylinders at the site and extra water jets were brought in to aid attempts to bring the fire under control and to protect surrounding buildings.
There are also a number of gas cylinders at the site and extra water jets have been brought in to aid attempts to bring the fire under control and to protect surrounding buildings. 'Huge shock'
The factory was not occupied but is at the centre of a major development which will see apartments and designer stores built on the site. The mill was not occupied but is at the centre of a major £53m development which would see the mill converted into apartments and designer stores.
A number of roads have been closed while the 24-hour Asda store on George Street was evacuated during the night and will remain closed on Saturday. Dominic Goold, whose Goold Estates was developing the building, said he was "devastated".
Walsall market will also be closed. He added: "We've been working on this scheme and bringing forward this phase of the regeneration of Walsall since 1999 and to see it go up in flames overnight, it's a huge shock."
A number of roads have been closed while the 24-hour Asda store on George Street was evacuated during the night and remained closed on Saturday.
Walsall market was also closed.