This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-28574387

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Northfield Manor House fire: Up to 100 firefighters tackle blaze Northfield Manor House fire was arson attack
(about 7 hours later)
Up to 100 firefighters are tackling a fire at a former home of the Cadbury family in Birmingham. The former home of the Cadbury family in Birmingham has been destroyed in an arson attack, the fire service said.
Twenty fire engines were sent to Northfield Manor House in Northfield after the fire service was alerted at about 20:05 BST. At its height up to 100 firefighters were tackling the blaze at Northfield Manor House from about 20:00 BST on Wednesday.
Specialist hydraulic platforms and a high-volume water pump were sent to the four-storey brick building. Flames and smoke could be seen from the Lickey Hills, about three miles (5km) away. Nobody was injured.
West Midlands Fire Service said it believed the cause was arson. The house has been empty for seven years. The Grade II listed building, which is owned by the University of Birmingham, has been empty for seven years.
It is owned by the University of Birmingham. Twenty fire engines, specialist hydraulic platforms and a high-volume water pump were sent to the four-storey brick building.
Flames and smoke from the fire have been seen from the Lickey Hills, about three miles (5km) away. Chief fire officer Phil Loach said it had taken about an hour to bring under control.
West Midlands Fire Service said it had requested a structural engineer and additional lighting equipment had been deployed. "There are signs of forced entry, the main part of the building has been severely damaged and the flames have spread through the roof," he said.
Two crews from Handsworth have gone to the scene. "The building is in an unsafe condition, there are a number of large chimney stacks which are also unstable."
Other appliances have come from Dudley, Brierley Hill, Sheldon, Hay Mills, Highgate, Woodgate Valley, Billesley, Ladywood, Northfield, Cradley, Oldbury, Aston, Solihull, Smethwick, West Bromwich, Kings Norton, Aldridge and Tipton.
West Midlands Fire Service said it expected firefighters to remain at the scene throughout the night.