Police to enter fire-ravaged family home of missing millionaire as speculation grows » Communities » 24dash.com

Investigators are today hoping to enter the fire-ravaged home of a missing millionaire and his family amid fears they may be dead inside.

The Shropshire home of Christopher Foster, his wife Jill and 15-year-old daughter Kirstie was devastated in a suspected arson attack shortly before 5am on Tuesday.

The family has been missing since the the fire.

It took fire crews several hours to control the blaze that damaged a stable block and garage. Three horses were found dead.

Police and fire investigators have not yet been able to get inside Osbaston House in Maesbrook, near Oswestry, Shropshire, as it was too badly damaged.

West Mercia Constabulary yesterday refused to comment on rumours that bullet cartridges and pools of blood have been found at the house, which is reported to be worth £1.2 million.

The force also refused to confirm or deny newspaper reports which suggested police feared Mr Foster may have shot dead his family before boarding himself in the house and setting fire to it.

A police spokesman said: "There is a lot of speculation going on. When we are able to we will issue facts.

"We are not able to go into the building so we do not know what, if anything, is inside."

Firefighters worked through Tuesday night damping down the building and reducing the temperature so structural experts could begin to stabilise the house.

Supt Gary Higgins said every possible line of inquiry to trace the family was being followed up.

He said: "Until we can enter the property, we do not know whether the family was inside at the time of the fire, which we believe was started deliberately.

"Once it has been deemed safe, specialist search teams and forensic experts will go in.

"It is a large property and there is a lot of debris inside which will have to be painstakingly sifted through and examined.

"This is not something which can be done quickly.

"Scenes of crime officers have already carried out examinations at the various outhouses.

"This is being treated as arson and, until we can determine whether the family was inside, it will remain arson."

Two men stood trial accused of blackmailing 50-year-old businessman Mr Foster but were cleared by a jury in November 2006.

Shrewsbury Crown Court said Timothy Baker, 35, whose address in 2006 was Manor Farm Drive, Shifnal, Shropshire, was cleared of blackmail and found guilty of perverting the course of justice, for which he was given a community order.

Leo Dennis, 42, whose last known address was Oleander Close, Telford, was cleared of blackmail.

Police said they could not make any comment on the trial.

Brendan Wignall, Kirstie's headmaster at the independent Ellesmere College in north Shropshire, described the teenager as a "popular and hard-working" girl.

He said: "We are very concerned for the safety of Kirstie and her family who are in our thoughts and prayers.

"Kirstie is a charming, popular and hard-working girl with many friends, all of whom are hoping that she and her family will be found safe and well."

Worried friends have paid tribute to 15-year-old Kirstie on a newspaper forum.

Lucy Harrington, from Shrewsbury, wrote on the Daily Mail website: "Kirstie I hope you're OK. You're one of my closest friends.

"I hope you're OK, you don't deserve it and nor do your mum and dad. Love you."

Another of Kirstie's friends, Henry Cureton, wrote: "Chris, Jill and Kirstie, please be safe and well, my thoughts are with you all.

"I'm gonna miss you guys. Love you Kirstie."