Arsonists could face a “substantial” jail sentence if they are caught setting fires to buildings in Telford, police warned today after a third derelict pub was targeted.

See also: Pub destroyed by fire

The warning comes after The White Hart in Dawley was left a blackened shell, when a blaze ripped through the boarded-up building yesterday morning.

The fire is under investigation by police and the fire service. Officers from Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service said it was being treated as “doubtful origin”.

It was the third suspicious fire at derelict pubs in Telford in the past month.

Constable Brad Milburn, anti-social behaviour liaison officer for Telford Police said: “Arson is a serious crime and it will not be tolerated by the police.

“Starting a fire deliberately is a selfish crime which not only damages property but can endanger people’s lives. Police attend all fires reported to us by the fire service and it is frustrating when we discover that the fire has been started deliberately, as it is a drain on police resources and those of our colleagues at the fire service.

Mr Milburn said the fires often caused thousands of pounds of damage.

He added: “Vacant pubs are hopefully not going to stay that way, so by destroying them by fire the offenders are taking away a pote- ntial livelihood for someone and a business which serves the community.

“Anyone convicted of committing arson faces a substantial prison sentence. I would urge anyone who information about these pub fires to contact officers at Malinsgate Police Station.”

The other pubs destroyed by blazes, both on March 11, were the Red Admiral in Sutton Hill and the Black Horse in Oakengates.