Huge fire destroys Edwardian mansion near Carlisle

A major fire has destroyed parts of an Edwardian mansion near Carlisle.

Fire crews spent much of the night fighting the fire at Scalesceugh Hall, Carleton, which broke out just before 11pm.

The fire was brought under control at around 6am. Seven engines, an aerial ladder and a water bowser were at the scene through the night.

The main part of the listed building has been destroyed, but the fire was prevented from spreading to the rest of the site, which was being developed into luxury retirement apartments.

Flames have claimed the hall’s roof and interior and blown out the windows and doors leaving the shell of the stone walls. blowing out the windows and doors.

The 'distraught' owners of the mansion said it's been one of the 'hardest days' of their lives.

The couple were in the process of restoring the hall into an impressive centrepiece for a retirement community project costing £3.6m.