'Grudge' theory behind McDonald's arson

Aug 16 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

The blaze at McDonalds is now being treated as arson. For video footage of the fire, go to the bottom of the page and click on the link.

POLICE are looking into the theory that a blaze which gutted a popular fast food restaurant may have been started by someone with a grudge.

An estimated £1.2 million worth of damage was caused when flames swept through the McDonald's restaurant in Newtown, on Monday.

West Midlands Police yesterday revealed they were treating the incident as a "suspected arson" attack.

Police still do not have a motive for the attack but they have not ruled out the possibility that someone with a grudge may have started the blaze.

However, Det Insp Bob Bradford, pictured, from Thornhill Road CID, said restaurant staff could not think of anyone who could want to start the fire.

"I would appeal to anyone with information to come forward," he said.

"They might know if there is someone with a bizarre grievance with McDonald's.

"Nobody at McDonald's has got any idea why it happened."

The fire in the restaurant, off Newtown Row, broke out at 4am on Monday morning. It will take six months to rebuild the restaurant.

Police released an image of a man they want to trace in connection with the incident. Det Insp Bradford said they needed to eliminate him from their inquiries and directly appealed to him to come forward.