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Blundering plumber burns down £5m mansion
Last updated at 11:07am on 18.04.07The first day of a new job can be a nerve racking experience prone to professional mishaps.
And even the most experienced worker might expect to feel the heat.
So spare a thought for the rookie plumber who attempted a soldering job at this £5 million waterside home - and saw his efforts go up in smoke.
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More than 60 firefighters were called to the listed building
Fire crews are still looking into the exact cause of the fire which ripped through the Georgian mansion.
But it is thought it was started after polystyrene insulation caught fire from the flame of a blow torch.
Workers at the site were yesterday determined to keep the identity of their plumber colleague a secret.
But residents suggested the fire was accidentally sparked by a 17-year-old apprentice.
Investigators said the plumber, who is understood to have been working his first day, was very upset by the damage - a sentiment shared by the millionaire owner who planned to convert the building into a luxury hotel.
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The blaze which destroyed the £5million home of greeting card tycoon Andrew Brownsword was caused by a plumber working in the roof, firefighters said
Eight-bedroom Kittery Court, in Kingswear, Devon, is owned by Andrew Brownsword - famous for his 'Forever Friends' range of greeting cards.
The £2 million renovation is believed to have been in its final stages when the inferno ripped through the building.
It took just minutes to engulf the house which featured in the 1981 film The French Lieutenant's Woman.
John Howes, of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said the plumber was working for a firm of sub-contracted mechanical engineers and was "very upset".
He said: "It appears at this stage that this was an unfortunate plumber who was soldering in the roof space of a large building, which was undergoing total renovation.
"For reasons we don't yet know, the fire has flashed up quickly and gone through the whole of a brand new and very expensive roof.
"Our initial investigations indicate that it was not his fault the flames spread so quickly.
"We think a blowtorch may have set light to expanded polystyrene foam in the roof space.
"Investigations will continue but that seems to be the most likely cause at this stage."
More than 60 firefighters were called to the listed building on Monday to tackle the blaze, in which no-one was hurt.
One neighbour of the property which stands in 1.6 acres said: "I heard it was started by a teenager on his first day.
"You have to feel sorry for the poor lad. He must feel terrible."
A spokesman for 59-year-old Mr Brownsword said: "Andrew is obviously heartbroken and very upset by the fire. He is devastated.
"He puts his heart and soul into everything he does and has given this project his full attention.
"He visited the house to see what is left and is awaiting to hear from fire officials as to the cause.
"Reports suggest it may have been started by a plumber but Andrew is sure there was no malice involved."
The fire was clearly visible from much of Dartmouth, which lies the other side of the estuary.
Dave Griffiths, who works on the Castle Ferry service, said: "It was pretty spectacular, but also very sad because it was an absolutely beautiful house."
John Addicott, of J E Stacey and Co, one of the contractors working on the building, said: "Every indication is that the fire started in the roof due to plumbing work.
"The owners and all the contractors will be speaking to insurers. In the meantime, we are thankful that nobody was injured in this sad incident."
Kittery Court gave its name to the town of Kittery in the American state of Maine after Alexander Shapleigh left the Devon manor to found a settlement there in 1623.
The current house - which had a private slipway, wine vault, glass staircase and Elizabethan hall - was built in 1760.
Reader views (9)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I wouldn't put the full blame the apprentice. But I do blame his employer. He should not of been allowed in a loft doing soldering on his own on his first day of the job.
His boss should realise that he is new and will be making mistakes within the first few months. His boss should have been there watching him doing the soldering with a fire extinguisher close by.
- David Davis, Harlow, Essex , United Kingdom
It seems incredible to me that any expanding foam used in a roofspace in a listed building could be this inflammable, and that this fire could spread so quickly. Looking at the pictures you'd say it looks like a deliberate fire with a considerable accelerant. If this was the foam burning like this, then why was it allowed to be used in a roofspace? You might as well insulate your roof with firelighters!
Nonetheless, it's hard to feel any sympathy for anyone owning £5 Million quid's worth of house, of course it's the rest of us who will pay on our Insurance premiums.
- Steve B, Exeter, Devon
I think it was difficult for the fire fighters to reach the house. But it is even more difficult to understand how a plumber can cause such a blaze in a villa. It indicates that a little mistake can cause terrible results. Being a plumber is more dangerous than one initially would think. Plumbers should be higher educated, in this way, maybe, you can prevent infernos!
- Jan Willem Visser, The Hague, Netherlands
Perhaps they should have used a Polish plumber!
- Nick Holly, Portsmouth, England
Was there a problem with the construction? It sounds like the fire department was surprised that a roof like that would be engulfed in flames so quickly.
- Mikealao, Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA
It was his first day!
- Henry Sampson, America
Devasted by the awful news - my friends and relatives spent 7 wonderful holidays in that house - it used to be a holiday home that we rented, the most fabulous place to be. We were horrified when it was sold and now this - so, so sad.
- Jo Goodwright, Beds
If it caught fire that easily thank God it wasn't a hotel at the time - the death toll would have been terrible!
- Alan, Loughton, Essex
I can quite sympathise! We lost our, admittedly much less expensive, house to the clumsiness of roofers whose gas torches ignited the wooden cladding of the building. To be honest, though, what we got in return from the insurance was far better than we could ever have hoped to have otherwise.
- Harry Barrowclough, Buren, The Netherlands
