Oil tank pipes inside blaze mansion

Apr 3 2009

Pipes leading from an outside oil tank were found inside the mansion of ruined millionaire Chris Foster when fire crews arrived to tackle the blaze, an inquest has heard.

A friend and neighbour who went to the home of Mr Foster, his wife Jill and daughter Kirstie as firefighters battled the "horrendous fire" said "something looked suspicious".

John Hughes told the inquest at Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court that the pump from the oil tank used to heat the £1.2 million property was on the floor and the pipes were "hanging out ... and going into the house".

The burnt remains of the 50-year-old businessman, his 49-year-old wife and 15-year-old daughter were found in Osbaston House, Maesbrook, Shropshire, days after the blaze in August last year.

Mr Foster is believed to have killed them both before torching their home and committing suicide.

Mr Hughes, who lives a mile away from Osbaston House, told the inquest into their deaths that when he arrived at the scene at just after 4am on August 26, a third of the mansion was alight and the barns were burnt out.

The Foster family had spent the previous day at a clay pigeon shoot and barbecue at Mr Hughes' home.

Mr Hughes told the hearing: "During the day they seemed to be in very good spirits and seemed fine but as they came to leave, Chris was very insistent that they did leave. Jill and Kirstie wanted to stay, he wanted to go. I just think he was tired."

The family left the barbecue at around 8.30pm and went home.

Mr Hughes said his friend had told him he was owed money. "He was quite stressed that this company had not paid him any money," he said.