A Shropshire family, including a teenage girl, was missing today after an arson attack at their country home.
Detectives today said Christopher Foster, his wife Jillian and teenage daughter Kirsty remain unaccounted for after the blaze at Maesbrook, near Oswestry. It has not yet been established if they were in the house at the time of the fire, officers said.
Detectives said they were alerted to the blaze by the fire service just before 5am today.
The fire at Osbaston House off the road between Maesbrook and Knockin, was well alight when officers arrived and about 30 firefighters from across the county worked for a number of hours to bring the fire under control.
Forensic and specialist officers are at the scene and house to house inquiries are being carried out.
Detectives investigating the incident today made an appeal for anyone who might know the whereabouts of the family to contact them as a matter of urgency on 08457 444888.
Detective Superintendent Jon Groves, from West Mercia’s Major Incident Unit, today appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
“Officers have not yet been able to enter the property due to the severity of the fire, but will be carrying out a search as soon as the building is deemed to be safe,” he said.
“The occupants of the house have not been accounted for and we are appealing for Mr Foster, Mrs Foster and Kirsty to get in touch if they are out there.
“I am also keen to hear from anyone who might know of their whereabouts or who can help us establish their movements over the bank holiday weekend. Anybody who was with them at social events during the past few days is asked to please contact police as a matter of urgency.
“It is a large site and the force helicopter was utilised in the search. The search of the house is expected to take some time.”
Detective Superintendent Groves added: “If anyone saw or heard suspicious persons or vehicles in the area, which is off the road between Maesbrook and Knockin, during the early hours of today I would urge them to please get in touch.”
The road outside the property has been cordoned off.
By Deborah Collins and Suzanne Roberts
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