Millionaire and family missing after arson attack

Published on Wednesday 27 August 2008 21:52

A MILLIONAIRE and his family were still missing last night following a suspected arson attack on their secluded country home.

Osbaston House, reportedly worth 1.2 million, was destroyed in the early hours of Tuesday.

Police are still trying to establish whether Christopher Foster, his wife, Jill, and their 15-year-old daughter, Kirstie, were at home at the time.

Detective Superintendent Jon Groves, of West Mercia Constabulary, said the house at Maesbrook, near Oswestry, Shropshire, and a number of outbuildings, including a stable block and a garage, had been severely damaged.

Three horses had been found dead in the grounds and four dogs were missing.

Asked whether the investigation was a missing persons inquiry or a murder probe, he refused to comment.

Police also declined to comment on reports that a horsebox had been parked in front of the gates to the property as the blaze took hold, blocking the entrance to emergency services.

Search teams have been unable to enter the building, which is set behind electronic gates, due to the severity of the blaze.

Fire crews and a forensic expert have also been at the site and CCTV footage has been recovered.

Mr Foster was described by neighbours as a multi-millionaire who made his fortune developing insulation technology for oil rigs.