Arson suspected after fire wrecks Manchester's Wythenshawe Hall Arson suspected after fire wrecks Manchester's Wythenshawe Hall
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Version 3 of 4. Police in Manchester suspect that a fire that devastated a Tudor mansion may have been started deliberately. At its peak more than 50 firefighters using 10 appliances and an aerial platform battled the blaze at Wythenshawe Hall in south Manchester. The flames badly damaged the 16th-century building’s clock tower and its roof after fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday, Manchester fire and rescue service said. Insp Luke Breakspear of Greater Manchester police said: “The investigation into how this fire began is in its infancy, however we are now treating it as suspicious. “We are appealing for anyone who may have any information or may have seen anyone in the area in the early hours of this morning to come forward. “This is a devastating fire in a beautiful building and we are determined to get to the bottom of how this could have happened. “Luckily, no one was injured, but the damage to the building and its contents will have a lasting impact on the community, and those who dedicated their lives to Wythenshawe Hall.” Warren Pickstone, a fire service area manager, said: “This blaze has caused devastating damage to a historic building, but the quick actions of our crew have saved the majority of the structure. “The fire was well developed when they arrived and firefighters did a fantastic job to stop it spreading through the timbers and voids in the property. We will work closely with Manchester city council and the Friends of Wythenshawe Hall to help them recover from this terrible fire.” The building, which was built in approximately 1540, was the home of the Tatton family for hundreds of years. Its history includes being besieged by parliamentary forces during the civil war. It was given to Manchester city council in 1929. Pickstone said earlier the roof and first floor had been “lost” after the fire erupted at about 3.30am. Rosa Battle, a Manchester city councillor, praised the firefighters and said: “This is an upsetting incident involving a much-loved historic building at the heart of its community. “We are still taking stock of the damage but will all need to rally together in an effort to restore the hall.” |