Mystery over what set Sweney Cliff House alight
Tuesday 16th August 2011, 3:49PM BST.
Mystery surrounds the cause of a blaze which destroyed a 200-year-old Shropshire mansion.
An investigation into what started the fire at Sweney Cliff House, in Coalport, which was thought to be worth more than £900,000, has proved inconclusive and police believe no crime was committed.
The eight-bedroom property was left gutted in the blaze on Thursday night.
The property was formerly known as Rock House and thought to have been built by Sutton Maddock ironmaster William Horton.
Chris Ammonds, a West Mercia Police spokesman, said: “The fire is of an unknown origin.
“The investigation has stopped and no crime has been committed.
“Although anybody who has any information can contact police.”
Officers from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service visited the site on Saturday.
However they were unable to enter the property for safety reasons, hampering their forensic investigation.
Demolishing
Crews from across the county, including Telford, Much Wenlock, Tweedale, Wellington, Newport and Albrighton, battled the blaze, which was reported at about 11.15pm.
The fire ripped through the inside of the home, causing the roof to cave in and demolishing several floors inside the property.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service are still at the scene making the site safe almost 24 hours after the fire started.
Water to douse the flames was pumped directly from the River Severn along hundreds of metres of hose.
No-one was inside the property at the time of the fire.
West Mercia Police closed off Coalport High Street, the bridge, and the main road between Sutton Maddock and Broseley for hours after the incident.
Residents said the house had been empty for about six months and was up for repossession.
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