Boys arrested as pub damaged in suspected arson

Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a pub was badly damaged in a fire, police have said.

Firefighters were called to the Oxon Priory building in Shrewsbury at 20:52 BST on Monday.

Large flames could be seen coming from the roof of the venue, which permanently closed in July.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire appeared to have started in the roof, before spreading to the rest of the building, but the cause had not yet been established.

Fire crews from five different stations were called to the building, which stands at the junction of Welshpool Road and the B4380.

Station Manager Tom Hatfield said he arrived to find flames across the roof and described it as a "significant fire".

He said it took crews six hours to put out the fire, and firefighters remained there overnight to make sure it did not reignite.

Fire investigators were on site on Tuesday he said, looking to find the cause of the blaze.

The Greene King pub chain, which owns the Oxon Priory, said: "We are grateful to the fire service for their swift action following a fire that took place at the Oxon Priory last night."

It added: "Thankfully, no one was injured and we are currently assessing the damage to the building."

West Mercia Police confirmed at about 15:00 BST on Tuesday that two teenage boys had been arrested as part of the investigation.

A spokesperson said earlier that the incident was being treated as "potentially arson" and the scene was being guarded.

They said officers would be carrying out house to house and CCTV inquiries in the local area and urged anyone with information to contact the force.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.