The marriage of a married couple is in question after the “wonkiest pub in Britain” was destroyed just a few weeks after being purchased by an inferno.
The Crooked House, in Himley, Staffordshire, went up in flames on Saturday night not long after it was sold to a private buyer for “alternative use”.
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Mystery surrounds the burning of the building after intruders were reportedly seen before the horror and firefighters were blocked from putting out the inferno.
The 18th-century pub, which was destroyed by mechanical diggers less than 36 hours later was completely flattened on Monday.
Within hours after emergency services had left, the footage shows diggers tearing down the remains of the Black Country pub.
Now, cops said that they would be “speaking to the owners” in a joint investigation that involves the fire service and South Staffordshire district council.
After the destruction, officers will interview Carly Taylor (34), and Adam Taylor (44), their new owners.
Marston’s Brewery sold the pub to ATE Farms Limited last month, a Carly-controlled company.
It had been listed for sale for £675,000.
Adam, the husband’s former director and shareholder of Himley Environmental Ltd. which operates a landfill site near the pub.
The South Staffordshire Council’s lawyers have been investigating possible violations of the Town and Planning Act following the demolition of Crooked house.
Roger Lees, leader of South Staffordshire council, said that planning officers had visited the burnt-out pub on Monday.
Mr Lees said: “The agreed course of action included the removal of three elements of the first-floor front elevation only.
“This was only to avoid the weak parts of the structure from falling. No decision was made by the council to demolish the entire structure.
“This council finds the manner in which the situation was managed following the fire completely unacceptable and contrary to instructions provided by our officers.”
Meanwhile, Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands, has called for the pub to be rebuilt “brick-by-brick”.
In a press release, the police said that Stafford Fire and Rescue was investigating the “all available evidence” into the cause of fire and as yet there had not been a cause established.
The pub was given listed status just a few days before its collapse. It was renowned for the way coins and marbles would roll up the hill along the bar.
The owners had to get permission before they could demolish the building.
On the night of the horror, one local said that intruders had been seen inside the closed pub and seemed to be partying and playing music moments before the blaze, according to the Telegraph.
No one was in the building at the time it caught fire, according to police.
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