Arsonists blamed for fire at listed Clayton-le-Moors manor house

11:00am Friday 5th July 2013 in News

The scene of the fire

EYE-WITNESSES saw two men set fire to the roof of a Grade II listed manor house before flames gutted the former restaurant.

The blaze at the 16th century Sparth Manor House in Sparth Road, Clayton-le-Moors wrecked the ground floor.

Arsonists poured petrol through a hole in the roof and two people were seen running away towards Ann Street with a green petrol can as flames spread rapidly.

Fire crews from Accrington, Great Harwood and Rawtenstall were at the scene until 6.30am yesterday after being called at 11.37pm.

They said the first floor of the building, up for sale for £250,000, was extensively damaged by smoke.

The building, built by the Rishton family in 1556, was a hotel and gastro pub until closing last year.

Clayton-le-Moors resident Gary Rostron said: “I was walking the dog nearby when suddenly there was just smoke everywhere. “Next thing, the fire engines were here, lining up and breaking in to get at the fire.”

Sparth Road resident Sharon Whitehead said: “It’s a shock because it is just so quiet around here.

“There has never been any trouble on that site since it closed at all.

“The only kids who play near it are little ones and they don’t cause any trouble.”

Her husband James added: “There is a security service who look around and check on the site quite often and it’s never been an issue for the neighbours.”

Another neighbour Sylvia Blades said: “I was woken up because there were so many flashing lights my whole flat was lit up like Christmas.

“When I looked outside I couldn’t believe the place was on fire because it’s so well looked after.

“In spite of being empty, it’s never attracted any trouble. You see 10-year-olds kicking a ball around there sometimes but they always run off when I tell them it’s private property.”

The blaze began in an attached outbuilding which housed toilets at the former restaurant.

Celebrity chef Nigel Howarth’s first job in the food industry was waiting tables at the restaurant when he was in college.

Fire investigators with fire dogs, police forensic teams and CID detectives were at the site yesterday as an investigation was launched and neighbours were spoken to.

The suspects police want to trace are both white. One was around 25, 5ft 8ins and stocky. He was wearing dark clothing.

The other was around 5ft 6ins, slim and also wearing dark clothing.

Detective Constable Helen Mercer from Accrington CID said: “I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and who witnessed the incident, or may have seen two men acting in a suspicious manner to come forward and contact the police.

“I am also keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the two offenders running off in the direction of Ann Street.

“These people may have vital information and they could greatly assist the investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Accrington CID on 101, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

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Comments(1)

useyourhead

says…

4:45pm Fri 5 Jul 13

sounds very much like an insurance job to me. I think we will see more as times get harder and property prices remain low.
useyourhead

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