UK police continue search after fire bodies found

Police in the UK were today continuing to search the burnt-out home of millionaire businessman Christopher Foster following the grim discovery of two charred bodies.

Officers recovered the remains inside Osbaston House in Maesbrook, Shropshire, on Friday night, almost four days after a blaze destroyed the property.

Mr Foster, his wife Jill and their 15-year-old daughter Kirstie have not been seen since the arson attack. A search for a possible third body at the home is ongoing.

The family were last seen at a friend’s barbecue on Monday evening, returning to the sprawling country estate that evening.

It has been reported that Kirstie may have been talking online to friends in the hours before the fire, which took hold at around 4am.

Flames destroyed a stable block and a garage as well as part of the main residence. Three horses and three dogs were killed in the fire.

Officers initially entered the main building on Friday morning but were forced to withdraw after debris began to fall.

They were able to gain access a second time only after additional work to shore up the badly damaged structure.

Supt Gary Higgins of West Mercia Police said last night: “We can confirm that two bodies were recovered from the main part of Osbaston House, Maesbrook.”

He said the remains would be examined by a Home Office pathologist and post-mortem examinations were due to be carried out yesterday to establish the cause of death.

Supt Higgins said DNA may be needed in order to formally identify the bodies. “There are a range of techniques that will help us,” he said.

He could not say if the two people found dead were male or female or give any indication of their age.

“We must stress that the Foster family still remain unaccounted for,” he added.

Mr Foster amassed his fortune developing insulation technology for oil rigs.

But earlier this year the businessman was branded “bereft of the basic instincts of commercial morality” by a High Court judge.

Court documents show that Mr Foster’s company, Ulva Ltd, which had gone into liquidation, faced legal action from one of its suppliers for thousands of pounds, and also owed about £800,000 in tax.

Speaking after the discovery of two bodies, one neighbour – who did not wish to be named – said: “I’m not surprised because of all the rumours.

“They were at a barbecue on the Monday and then the daughter was on the internet until 1am. It’s very tragic. I would not be shocked if they found a third body.

“The police said they had got all the ports on alert and nothing came of that, there’s been no sighting of them.

“You tend to think then, it’s a process of elimination.”

A man who knew Mr Foster said he feared his former business associate may have “just flipped”.

Terence Baines, a former director of Mr Foster’s company Ulva Ltd, said: “It’s anyone’s guess, but it seems that the people he owed money to are big companies and I can’t see them behind something like this.”

Speaking from his home near Tamworth, Staffordshire, Mr Baines, an accountant, speculated that maybe Mr Foster “just flipped because the pressure of it was too much for him”.

The horses found dead at the scene have now been examined and post-mortem examinations on them are complete, with police awaiting the results.

Detectives confirmed the bodies of three dogs were found close to the horses and said a large horse box parked close to the gates of the property had been removed for forensic examination.

Police have refused to comment on reports that bullet cartridges and pools of blood were found in the courtyard.

Yesterday, forensic experts were seen continuing their search through what remains of the house and its grounds. Up to 100 officers are working on the investigation.

Supt Higgins said it could take several weeks to complete the examination.

A special church service will take place today in Maesbrook Church during which prayers will be said for the Fosters, their family and friends.