Fears grow for blaze mansion family

Detectives were today trying to unravel the mystery of the missing Midland millionaire and his family, feared dead in an arson attack which destroyed their £1.2 million dream mansion.

See also: Brother's shock at mansion blaze

Devastation at millionaire's mansion

Police said fears were growing today as reports suggested that officers leading the investigation believed that businessman Christopher and his wife Jill Foster, aged 50 and 49 respectively, had been murdered along with their 15-year-old daughter Kirstie.

But sources close to the massive investigation said reports that spent bullets and shot animals found in the grounds of Osbaston House should be treated with "a lot of scepticism".

Today more details were emerging about the life of the family, who hail from Wolverhampton, and the hours leading up to the devastating fire which destroyed the home at Maesbrook, near Oswestry, Shropshire.

The first picture of the family has been released, taken at a barbecue on Monday – just hours before Tuesday's 5am blaze at the property, set in 15 acres of land.

They returned home that evening and the fire started at around 5am, destroying a stable block and garage and badly damaging the house itself.

Three horses were found dead and four dogs have gone missing. Kirstie, a netball player and student at Ellesmere College, and her parents have not been seen since the blaze.

Records list Mr Foster, aged 50, as the director of Ulva Limited. The same record names Mrs Foster as company secretary.

Ulva Ltd, a thermal insulation manufacturing company in Telford, went in to administration in August last year. A court order was issued on November 13 for the company to be wound up. Birmingham-based Butcher Woods confirmed it had been appointed as liquidator but declined to comment.

In 2006, Mr Foster was at the centre of a £100,000 blackmail case. Two men were cleared.

Anyone with information regarding the blaze should call police on 08457 444 888.