This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/shropshire/7585338.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Search teams to enter arson house Search teams to enter arson house
(20 minutes later)
Police plan to enter the burned-out home of a missing family within the next 24 hours.Police plan to enter the burned-out home of a missing family within the next 24 hours.
Christopher Foster, 50, wife Jillian, 49, and daughter Kirstie, 15, have not been seen since Tuesday's fire at the mansion near Maesbrook in Shropshire.Christopher Foster, 50, wife Jillian, 49, and daughter Kirstie, 15, have not been seen since Tuesday's fire at the mansion near Maesbrook in Shropshire.
Three horses were found dead in the stables after the apparent arson attack. Two dogs are also missing.Three horses were found dead in the stables after the apparent arson attack. Two dogs are also missing.
Officers have been unable to enter the house due to the fire's severity, and are waiting for it to be declared safe.Officers have been unable to enter the house due to the fire's severity, and are waiting for it to be declared safe.
'Painstaking work' It is not yet known if the missing family were in the £1.2m property, called Osbaston House, at the time of the fire, which began shortly after 0500 BST. This picture of the Fosters was taken at a friend's house on Monday
It is not yet known if the missing family were in the £1.2m property, called Osbaston House, at the time of the fire, which began shortly after 0500 BST.
Police said they were "following every line of enquiry" to trace the family.Police said they were "following every line of enquiry" to trace the family.
Superintendent Gary Higgins, from West Mercia Constabulary, said: "A lot of work has been done by the fire service overnight to damp it down and reduce the temperature enough for work to stabilise the structure to begin and make it safe to enter.Superintendent Gary Higgins, from West Mercia Constabulary, said: "A lot of work has been done by the fire service overnight to damp it down and reduce the temperature enough for work to stabilise the structure to begin and make it safe to enter.
"Once it has been deemed safe, which we are hoping will be either this evening or tomorrow, specialist search teams and forensic experts will go in.""Once it has been deemed safe, which we are hoping will be either this evening or tomorrow, specialist search teams and forensic experts will go in."
Forensic teams are working around the outskirts of the house
He added that even when officers had access to the house, the search could potentially take "several days".He added that even when officers had access to the house, the search could potentially take "several days".
'Painstaking' work
He said: "Until we can enter the property, we do not know whether the family was inside at the time of the fire, which we believe was started deliberately."He said: "Until we can enter the property, we do not know whether the family was inside at the time of the fire, which we believe was started deliberately."
He said the debris inside the house would have to be "painstakingly sifted through and examined".He said the debris inside the house would have to be "painstakingly sifted through and examined".
Officers have already carried out searches at the outhouses belonging to the property and remain at the scene scouring the evidence.Officers have already carried out searches at the outhouses belonging to the property and remain at the scene scouring the evidence.
Companies House lists Mr Foster as the director of Ulva Limited - a thermal insulation manufacturing company in Telford. Mrs Foster is listed as company secretary.Companies House lists Mr Foster as the director of Ulva Limited - a thermal insulation manufacturing company in Telford. Mrs Foster is listed as company secretary.
The firm went into administration in August last year and a court order was issued in November for the company to be wound up.The firm went into administration in August last year and a court order was issued in November for the company to be wound up.
Mr Foster was also the alleged victim of a blackmail - but two men were cleared of attempting to blackmail him into giving them £100,000 at Shrewsbury Crown Court in November 2006.Mr Foster was also the alleged victim of a blackmail - but two men were cleared of attempting to blackmail him into giving them £100,000 at Shrewsbury Crown Court in November 2006.
Police have circulated an all-ports warning to be on the lookout for the family. Police have circulated an all-ports warning to be on the lookout for the family.Forensic teams are working around the outskirts of the house
They have also appealed for the family or anyone who may have seen them over the Bank Holiday weekend to get in touch urgently.They have also appealed for the family or anyone who may have seen them over the Bank Holiday weekend to get in touch urgently.
'Beyond comprehension'
Kirstie is a year 10 pupil at Ellesmere College, an independent school in Ellesmere, Shropshire.Kirstie is a year 10 pupil at Ellesmere College, an independent school in Ellesmere, Shropshire.
Detectives a CCTV system had been found at the property and would be examined over the coming days.Detectives a CCTV system had been found at the property and would be examined over the coming days.
The house, which has electronic gates, is situated off the road between Maesbrook and Knockin.The house, which has electronic gates, is situated off the road between Maesbrook and Knockin.
Police said it was well alight when fire crews arrived.Police said it was well alight when fire crews arrived.
About 80 officers and police personnel are involved in the investigation, which has been named Operation Feedback.About 80 officers and police personnel are involved in the investigation, which has been named Operation Feedback.
Neighbours have said the house's occupants kept themselves to themselves.Neighbours have said the house's occupants kept themselves to themselves.
One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC: "Chris had many cars, the Ferrari, a Range Rover for going out shooting. Jill had another Range Rover.One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC: "Chris had many cars, the Ferrari, a Range Rover for going out shooting. Jill had another Range Rover.
"They were always extremely friendly... I just honestly don't know. Is he away on holiday? Is he local? Is he in the house? It's beyond comprehension.""They were always extremely friendly... I just honestly don't know. Is he away on holiday? Is he local? Is he in the house? It's beyond comprehension."