Two bodies found in blaze house

Two bodies have been discovered at the fire-ravaged country home of Shropshire millionaire Christopher Foster. The discovery of the bodies, which have not yet been identified, was made within the main part of Osbaston House, in Maesbrook, late yesterday.

Detectives said they could not yet reveal whether the bodies are those of the missing Mr Foster, his wife Jill or their 15-year-old daughter Kirstie, as formal identification had not yet taken place.

Rachel Anstee, West Mercia Police spokeswoman, said the Foster family was still being treated as missing and confirmed the blaze was arson.

Detectives investigating the blaze also today released new pictures of the missing Foster family.

Superintendent Gary Higgins, of West Mercia Police said: "The remains will be examined by a Home Office pathologist and post mortems are due to be carried out later today to establish the cause of death."

Speaking at the scene this afternoon, Superintendent Higgins said he could not reveal the age or gender of the two bodies and said experts would need to rely on DNA and dental records to identify them.

"All possible lines of inquiry are being followed up," he said. "I would reiterate the Foster family still remain unaccounted for."

Police said relatives of the Foster family have been informed of the discovery. Forensic teams, including up to 20 vehicles, arrived on site shortly after 7.30am today to continue searching through the rubble.

The bodies are believed to have been brought out of the house during the night - three days after the blaze.

Mr Higgins said it was not possible at this stage to give further details on the discovery which was made within the first few hours of the search.

Experts had been hampered yesterday morning and were forced to halt the search when debris started to fall.

Search teams re-entered the main part of the house late yesterday afternoon and found the two bodies within hours.

A neighbour of the Foster family, who hosted a barbecue for friends the night before the blaze, today spoke of his shock at the news.

The Oswestry businessman, who did not want to be named, was one of the last people to see the Foster family at his barbecue.

"It's just unbelievable," he said. "I was hoping they wouldn't find anyone in there."

By Crime Correspondent Kirsty Smallman

See also:

Computers recovered from house

Did pressure cause millionaire to 'flip'?

Kirstie 'on net' before blaze

Businessman 'risked losing £1m home'

Forensics team's grim search

Latest search pictures

Inside Osbaston Hall before the blaze

Scene of the mansion blaze

Aerial photo: newsteam.co.uk