Man praises Bilston community after pub fire left him homeless

David Thompson said he lost his home and possessions in the fire

A man who was left homeless when a fire ripped through a historic pub where he lived has praised the community for coming to his aid.

David Thompson had lived in the Greyhound and Punchbowl on High Street, Bilston for more than 15 years.

The Grade II* listed property was damaged in a blaze on 30 September although no-one was hurt.

"I've lost everything," the videographer and casino worker told the BBC.

Firefighters were called to the three-storey building at about 03:40 BST.

Firefighters were called at about 03:40 BST on 30 September

The fire service said the building, constructed in the 16th Century, was damaged by the flames and smoke.

As the blaze raged at the property, Mr Thompson said he narrowly avoided being caught in it as he had decided to stay behind at work instead of finishing early.

After receiving the devastating news over the phone, he arrived to find his room and possessions destroyed.

The fire at the pub was being treated as arson, police said

"I've got to start afresh, everything I have, the career I was building up in videography, everything has been taken away," Mr Thompson said.

"I've lost everything. That's my home as well so if we can restore it at least I've got somewhere to go back to.

"If I can't go back, I've got to start again with just the clothes I'm standing in."

Mr Thompson said the people of Bilston have become his family over the past 15 years

Amid the devastation, Mr Thompson has said the community rallied around to offer him support with shopping, clothes and somewhere to stay.

He added: "Bilston, has not got a good reputation, but the people are the reason why I stayed here."

West Midlands Police said it was treating the incident as arson.

The pub building dates back to the middle of the 16th Century and was originally known as Stoke Heath Manor House.

It was restored in the 1930s when a concrete skin was added to the timber frame, Historic England said.