This is the grim scene today at the luxury home of millionaire Shropshire businessman Chris Foster at the centre of a major police investigation.
Police are still unable to explain what happened behind the doors of this £1 million three-storey country home which was gutted in an arson attack yesterday.
See more photos from the scene here
The whereabouts of Mr Foster, his wife Jill and teenage daughter Kirstie are still unknown. They have not been seen since before the blaze.
Police have not been able to enter Osbaston House, in Maesbrook, to establish if the family was inside at the time of the blaze.
A CCTV system has been recovered. Police, who are checking the system for footage, today confirmed that three horses were found dead at the scene and at least two dogs believed to have been in kennels are missing.
Officers are hoping the home will be deemed safe to enter and search in the coming days.
Firefighters remained at the scene overnight and dealt with hotspots.
The fire was reported to police by the fire service just before 5am yesterday.
The fire was raging by the time officers arrived and caused substantial damage to the house itself and a number of outbuildings.
About 80 police officers and staff are involved in the investigation, which has been named Operation Feedback.
Detective Superintendent Jon Groves, from West Mercia’s Major Incident Unit and who is leading the investigation, said: “There was a CCTV system at the property, which has been recovered by officers and will be examined over the coming days.
“The house, a garage and stable block and another outbuilding were severely damaged. Two horses in the stable and another in the outbuilding have been found dead. Two dogs which we believe were in a kennel block are missing.
“A search will be carried out of the property to establish if anybody was inside as soon as the building is deemed to be safe. Forensic investigators have been at the scene and house-to-house inquiries carried out.”
He today issued a further appeal for anyone who might have seen the family over the bank holiday weekend or has any information which might help detectives establish their whereabouts to contact the investigation team on 08457 444888.
Neighbours have spoken of their shock at the fire and aired their fears for wealthy businessman Mr Foster and his family who enjoyed an idyllic lifestyle in the quiet Shropshire countryside.
Gordon Richards, a local builder who lives nearby, said: “I know the family. They have lived here for about five or six years.”
It was revealed today that at Shrewsbury Crown Court in November 2006 two men were cleared of attempting to blackmail Mr Foster into giving them £100,000.
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