Monday 20 June 2011

Peckforton Castle, near Tarporley, damaged by arson after wedding

100 fire fighters and 20 appliances spent most of Sunday tackling the "major" blaze at the landmark  Peckforton Castle, near Tarporley, Cheshire.   Up to 100 staff and guests, many of whom were attending a wedding, were evacuated just before 5am, after the fire broke out in a drawing room in a wing of the 19th Century gothic castle.

 Such was the severity of the fire, appliances were called in from four different counties amid fears the blaze would completely destroy the Grade I-listed property. It has been claimed that the fire damage could top £1million. The fire started just hours after the groom became embroiled in a dispute with management over the event’s bill.  While police declined to confirm the claims, it is believed the groom, who has not been named, was arrested on suspicion of arson.