Calls to protect historic buildings after Vernon Mount blaze

Heritage groups have called for the full implementation of planning laws and for more state funding to protect at-risk historic buildings after one of the country’s finest Georgian villas was gutted in a suspected arson attack.

The shell of the privately owned unoccupied 18th century Vernon Mount House in Cork was declared unsafe yesterday, fuelling fears it could face demolition after a huge fire destroyed the roof, floors, ornate plasterwork, and ceiling paintings by Nathaniel Grogan.

It took almost 30 firefighters almost 10 hours to bring the blaze under control.