The fire at Grade II-listed Alston Hall could have been started deliberately, police have said.
Historic England described the hall as “highly decorative” and it is thought to have been under renovation when the fire started.
The blaze ripped through a 19th Century mansion near Longridge, which was under renovation and a large section of the Gothic-style building was destroyed. Alston Hall, designed by architect Alfred Darbyshire, was built between 1874 and 1876 for colliery owner John Mercer. It remained a family home until 1949 when the hall was sold to Preston Council for use as a Day Continuation College. In 1974, the hall was bought by Lancashire County Council who converted it to a residential training centre. It was sold last year to a private buyer. Officers have started a joint investigation with the fire service into how the blaze started.No arrests have been made by the police and no more information as to why it could be suspicious have been released.
Read the full story in the Lancashire Telegraph and the Telegraph
