Police treating stately home fire as 'suspicious'

Credit: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

Detectives are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward after a suspicious fire at a property in Beaminster in Dorset.

Police were called by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service at around 4am on Saturday 15 April, to reports of a large fire at the Parnham House mansion.

Officers attended to assist the fire service while they tackled the extensive blaze.

The house suffered a significant amount of damage. The fire service are continuing to to dampen down the property.

Credit: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

At this stage it is not believed anyone was inside the property at the time of the fire.

Police say a full search will be carried out once it is safe to do so. Officers say the property is likely to be cordoned off for some time to allow investigators to examine the scene.

Credit: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 15:69.

What the manor house used to look like. Picture taken in 1996. Credit: ITV West Country

This garden it's surrounding land is registered under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 within the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens by English Heritage for its special historic interest.