By Tony O’ Reilly-
Police have launched a major investigation after a suspected firebomb attack tore through the historic Old Mill in Drayton, leaving parts of the building blackened and structurally damaged in what detectives are treating as a deliberate act of arson.
Emergency services were called in the early hours after witnesses reported flames rapidly engulfing one section of the property. Fire crews battled to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading further, but not before significant damage had been done. No fatalities have been reported, though officials say it is “sheer luck” no one was seriously injured.
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Officers believe the fire may have been started using an improvised incendiary device—commonly referred to as a petrol bomb—thrown into or against the building. Forensic teams have been combing the scene for traces of accelerants, while CCTV from nearby roads and businesses is being examined to identify suspects.
A police spokesperson said the attack bore “clear hallmarks of intent and planning,” echoing concerns raised in other recent UK arson cases. Just days ago, investigators in Birmingham appealed for information after petrol bombs were hurled at a commercial property in the early hours, causing extensive fire damage and prompting fears over public safety.
While motives in the Drayton incident remain unclear, detectives are keeping an open mind, including the possibility of a targeted attack. Locals described shock and anger that a well-known landmark could be deliberately set alight, with some calling it “an attack on the community itself.”
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Firebombings and arson attacks, though relatively rare, are not unprecedented in the UK. In October 2024, a pub in Eccles was targeted when flaming objects were thrown inside, sparking a small blaze and a police investigation into criminal damage and arson. In another case, a man was jailed in 1993 for throwing petrol bombs into a pub after a dispute, illustrating how such attacks can stem from personal grievances as well as broader motives.
Historically, far more devastating attacks have occurred. The Birmingham pub bombings remain the deadliest example, when coordinated explosions in two pubs killed 21 people and injured 182 during the Troubles.
That period saw numerous attacks on pubs across the UK and Ireland, often involving bombs thrown through windows or planted inside buildings, highlighting how such venues have previously been targets in both political violence and isolated criminal acts.
More recently, petrol bomb attacks have also been used in non-pub settings, such as the Dover firebomb attack, where incendiary devices were thrown at a migrant processing centre, injuring two people and prompting a counter-terrorism investigation.
Investigators in Drayton are urging witnesses to come forward, particularly anyone who saw suspicious activity around the Old Mill before the fire broke out. Patrols have been increased in the area amid concerns that whoever carried out the हमला may strike again.
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