Fears for millionaire couple and daughter

The fire-ravaged home of Chris and Jill Foster was at the centre of a major police investigation today as the couple and their teenage daughter remained missing.

The £1.2 million three-storey property, surrounded by barns and orchards and protected by electric gates, in Maesbrook, near Oswestry, was targeted by arsonists in the early hours of yesterday.

See more photos from the scene here

The stables, which usually house the couple's three horses, were also at the centre of inquiries after firefighters and police officers discovered three dead horses. The family's dogs are also missing from Osbaston House, The Wood.

The home of millionaire Mr Foster was cordoned off as the search for the missing family was expected to take place as soon as the house was safe.

The idyllic property in the countryside bordering the market town of Oswestry was where Mr Foster and his wife lived, along with their daughter, Kirstie, a pupil at Ellesmere College.

Neighbours have spoken of the family's millionaire lifestyle with trips to Dubai and expensive cars, including two Porsches and an Aston Martin on the driveway.

The dream lifestyle, which included socialising with successful businessmen in Oswestry, was destroyed in yesterday's blaze and, despite urgent appeals from top detectives, no contact has been made by the family.

Neighbours said Mr Foster is believed to have made his first million in his 20s and had continued his success through business in pipe insulation.

He was the managing director of Ulva Ltd, based at Hortonwood 31, Hortonwood in Telford, until September last year when the company went into liquidation.

A company now named Ulva Insulations Systems Ltd is based at the same site, but a company spokeswoman today said Mr Foster was not connected to the company.

She refused to comment on any connection Mr Foster may have had to previous companies at the site.

The family are believed to have previously lived in Admaston, Telford.

But the rich lifestyle Mr Foster led also saw him embroiled in a court case after he accused two men of blackmailing him into giving them £100,000.

In 2006, Tim Baker and Leo Dennis were cleared of making an unwarranted demand with menaces from Mr Foster following a trial. Mr Foster had alleged Mr Dennis and Mr Baker had been plotting to blackmail him after a land deal in Cyprus fell through.

But the two men claimed Mr Foster made a false allegation of blackmail to cover up a bid to have Mr Baker assaulted.

Mr Foster and his family "kept themselves to themselves" and led their life from behind the gates of their house, which was believed to have been bought for £750,000.

The blaze at their home and the fear the family may be inside has left residents in the communities of Maesbrook and Knockin in shock.

Gordon Richards, a local builder who lives nearby, said: "I know the family. They have lived here for about five or six years.

"Mr Foster runs a factory in Telford which heats and treats pipes going to oil rigs. It's one of the only factories in the country that can do it."

A local man, who did not wish to be named said: "They have only been there two or three years. They are not people you see much of.

"I saw the fire from where I was and it was horrendous. I have never seen such a fire, there were horrendous flames from it. It was a very strong fire not just a bit of a glow. I thought it was a barn fire because of the flames from it."

Lesley Evans, from Maesbrook, said: "My neighbour phoned to say the road was blocked and the house was burned down.

"I haven't got a clue who lives there and I have lived here eight-and-a-half years.

"It's a very old house. It was on the market about four years ago for £1 million."

Neighbour Diane Bevell said: "At 4am I woke up and heard a noise. I saw the house on fire and called the fire brigade. There is hardly any house left; it's fairly gutted by the fire.

"I haven't been down there myself, but it was a really bad fire.

"They have not been there long and they keep themselves to themselves."

David Hales, of Maesbrook, said: "They have lived here about four or five years. He's a businessman from Telford, I've heard."