A 36-year-old man has been charged with arson following a large fire at Peckforton Castle, in Cheshire. According to sources the man was the bridegroom of a wedding due to take place at the castle.
Just before 5 am on 19 June firefighters and police were called to the scene of the blaze, which affected one wing of the castle.
The building, built in the early 19th century, is used as a wedding and hotel venue and was evacuated of around 70 guests.
Fire crews were later able to surround the fire despite having to deal with a complex layout in the castle wing, Chester Fire and Rescue service said.
Firefighting operations continued during the day with some crews operating from a hydraulic platform at the rear of the premises while others wearing breathing apparatus entered the affected wing from the inner courtyard.
All three floors of the affected wing were ‘extensively involved’ in the fire, including hotel bedrooms and offices, the fire service said.
At 7.30 pm that day, the number of appliances was scaled back. Firefighters stayed overnight damping down and monitoring hotspots using thermal imaging cameras.
The man, charged with arson with intent to endanger life and arson reckless as to whether life is endangered, is to appear at Chester Crown Court on 26 July.
