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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Historic villa blaze 'a tragedy' | Historic villa blaze 'a tragedy' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A fire which ravaged an historic villa that was once home to Shakespearean actor David Garrick was described as "a tragedy" by English Heritage. | A fire which ravaged an historic villa that was once home to Shakespearean actor David Garrick was described as "a tragedy" by English Heritage. |
| The Grade I listed Garrick's Villa in south-west London was badly damaged in the blaze, which was attended by 70 firefighters. | The Grade I listed Garrick's Villa in south-west London was badly damaged in the blaze, which was attended by 70 firefighters. |
| The remodelled medieval building was converted into apartments in 1969. | |
| English Heritage said its structural engineers would assess the damage as soon as it was safe. | English Heritage said its structural engineers would assess the damage as soon as it was safe. |
| The entire roof of the villa in Hampton Court Road collapsed in the fire. | The entire roof of the villa in Hampton Court Road collapsed in the fire. |
| A fire brigade spokesman said the first and second floors of the building caught light during the blaze, which took more than five hours to bring under control. | A fire brigade spokesman said the first and second floors of the building caught light during the blaze, which took more than five hours to bring under control. |
| All occupants were evacuated and no injuries were reported. Witnesses said building work had been taking place at the property. | All occupants were evacuated and no injuries were reported. Witnesses said building work had been taking place at the property. |
| English Heritage's London director Paddy Pugh said it would work with the owner to restore the building. | English Heritage's London director Paddy Pugh said it would work with the owner to restore the building. |
| "The Grade One listed building Garrick's Villa was of national importance. | "The Grade One listed building Garrick's Villa was of national importance. |
| "The fire which took place there is a tragedy." | "The fire which took place there is a tragedy." |
| In pictures: Garrick's Villa fire | In pictures: Garrick's Villa fire |
| David Garrick is regarded as one of Britain's greatest actors, and the founding father of the "realist" school of acting. | David Garrick is regarded as one of Britain's greatest actors, and the founding father of the "realist" school of acting. |
| He acquired the villa in 1754 as his country retreat and it still retained some of the features the actor installed. | He acquired the villa in 1754 as his country retreat and it still retained some of the features the actor installed. |
| One of the residents, antiques dealer Boudica Scherazade, said: "It's just so awful. There's so many valuable things in there. | One of the residents, antiques dealer Boudica Scherazade, said: "It's just so awful. There's so many valuable things in there. |
| "This is my home that I've built for my mother and for myself and for our family. We've lost everything, we've lost everything - I'm absolutely devastated". | "This is my home that I've built for my mother and for myself and for our family. We've lost everything, we've lost everything - I'm absolutely devastated". |
| Twickenham Museum history centre spokesman Mike Cherry said the villa was "an iconic building" whose importance "couldn't be understated". | |
| "It's hugely significant because of its association with Garrick," Mr Cherry said. | "It's hugely significant because of its association with Garrick," Mr Cherry said. |
| "He is such an important figure in theatre, both in acting itself and theatre management, and the building provided an historical link with the man." | "He is such an important figure in theatre, both in acting itself and theatre management, and the building provided an historical link with the man." |
| The building's walls are being checked to ensure they are stable and the cause of the fire is being investigated. | The building's walls are being checked to ensure they are stable and the cause of the fire is being investigated. |
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| Firefighters tackle the blaze at the London villa | Firefighters tackle the blaze at the London villa |