A Range Rover Sport slammed into the front of a cafe on Park Lane in Darlaston, Wednesbury, triggering a fire shortly before 4 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18.
Emergency Response
Firefighters from Wednesbury and Willenhall stations rushed to the scene with around 10 crew members. They deployed a hose reel and breathing apparatus to douse the flames, leaving the site at 5:53 a.m. in the care of West Midlands Police.
Damage Assessment
Images from the scene reveal a charred black Range Rover Sport parked outside The Soul House Restaurant and Cocktail Bar. The SUV’s interior is completely burned out and melted, with one door detached. The cafe’s shutters are smashed and scorched, and an upstairs room shows extensive blackening on the exterior.
A flatbed recovery truck stood ready in front of the vehicle, and a police officer remained on site to secure the area.
Fire Service Statement
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service stated: “Shortly before 4am on Wednesday 18 March, we responded to Park Lane in the Darlaston area of Wednesbury. A fire engine from Wednesbury and a fire engine from Willenhall attended. This was a collision between a car and a cafe shopfront, resulting in a vehicle fire. The fire was extinguished by firefighters using a hose reel and wearing breathing apparatus. We left this incident with West Midlands Police and left the scene at 5.53am.”
Ongoing Investigation
West Midlands Police are investigating the early morning collision. Online listings show the cafe is currently closed, with the latest customer review dating back two years.
