This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/shropshire/7981103.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Manson fire family 'seemed happy' Tank pipes 'led into fire house'
(about 1 hour later)
A businessman who is believed to have killed his wife and daughter had not appeared to be under any great stress, his friend has told an inquest. Pipes from an outside oil tank were found going into the house where a man is thought to have killed his wife and daughter, an inquest has heard.
Police believe Christoper Foster, 50, who had £1.2m in debts, killed Jill, 49, and Kirstie, 15, before burning their mansion in Maesbrook, Shropshire. Police believe Christopher Foster, 50, who had debts of £1.2m, killed Jill, 49, and Kirstie, 15, before burning their mansion in Maesbrook, Shropshire.
His friend John Hughes told the inquest into their deaths the family appeared "happy and normal" the day before. His friend John Hughes told the hearing he arrived at the "horrendous fire" just after 0400 BST on 26 August 2008.
Mr Foster told a GP he felt suicidal months earlier, the inquest has heard. He said the pump from the oil tank used to heat the home was on the floor.
Police and fire officers are to give evidence during the second day of the hearing at Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court. Mr Hughes, who lives a mile away, told the Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court hearing that a third of Osbaston House was alight and crews were trying to tackle the blaze.
Firm's collapseFirm's collapse
Friday's inquest heard from people who saw the Foster family during the bank holiday weekend before they died on 26 August. The Foster family had spent the previous day, a Bank Holiday Monday, at a barbeque and clay pigeon shoot at Mr Hughes' homes.
Mr Hughes, who held a clay pigeon shoot at his home, told the inquest Mr Foster had previously mentioned to him that he was "owed a lot of money". He told the inquest they had "seemed happy".
The family died after the August Bank Holiday weekend
He said: "During the day they seemed to be in very good spirits and seemed fine but as they came to leave, Chris was very insistent that they did leave.
"Jill and Kirstie wanted to stay, he wanted to go. I just think he was tired."
Mr Hughes, who was among people at the barbeque giving evidence, said his friend had told him he was owed money.
"He was quite stressed that this company had not paid him any money," he said.
Mr Foster's thermal insulation firm Ulva Ltd went into liquidation in October 2007.Mr Foster's thermal insulation firm Ulva Ltd went into liquidation in October 2007.
It led to a £3m freezing order being put on his assets, leaving him without an income, the inquest has heard.It led to a £3m freezing order being put on his assets, leaving him without an income, the inquest has heard.
Dr William Grech said four months earlier Mr Foster spoke to him about his business problems and how he had felt like taking his own life. A GP has told the inquest that four months before his death, Mr Foster spoke to him about his business problems and said he felt like taking his own life.
A Home Office pathologist has told the hearing that Mr Foster probably died as a result of smoke inhalation. A Home Office pathologist has told the hearing Mr Foster probably died as a result of smoke inhalation.