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Northfield Manor House fire was arson attack Northfield Manor House fire was arson attack
(about 2 hours later)
The former home of the Cadbury family in Birmingham has been destroyed in an arson attack, the fire service said.The former home of the Cadbury family in Birmingham has been destroyed in an arson attack, the fire service said.
At its height up to 100 firefighters were tackling the blaze at Northfield Manor House from about 20:00 BST on Wednesday. At its height, up to 100 firefighters were were tackling the blaze at Northfield Manor House from about 20:00 BST on Wednesday.
Flames and smoke could be seen from the Lickey Hills, about three miles (5km) away. Nobody was injured. Flames and smoke could be seen from the Lickey Hills, about three miles (5km) away. No-one was injured.
The Grade II listed building, which is owned by the University of Birmingham, has been empty for seven years. The fire service said the building, which has been empty for seven years, may have to be demolished.
Twenty fire engines, specialist hydraulic platforms and a high-volume water pump were sent to the four-storey brick building. Twenty fire engines, specialist hydraulic platforms and a high-volume water pump were sent to the Grade A-listed, four-storey brick building.
Chief fire officer Phil Loach said it had taken about an hour to bring under control. David Boucher, from West Midlands Fire Service, said the fire had taken about an hour to bring under control.
"There are signs of forced entry, the main part of the building has been severely damaged and the flames have spread through the roof," he said. He said 24 firefighters were still on site damping down.
"The building is in an unsafe condition, there are a number of large chimney stacks which are also unstable." "Contractors will be coming in to make the building safe but I strongly suspect it will have to be demolished," he said.
"Unfortunately the manor house is totally devastated and the structure is collapsing inside."
Justin Cadbury, whose grandfather Egbert had lived in the manor house, said it was a "complete shock".
"There is a real sense of loss when you see something physically collapse and go up in smoke," he said.
"It is extraordinary that somebody could do something like this. I don't have the full facts but I don't think people realise the effect of their actions on lives of ordinary, decent people."
The manor house was originally built in 1820 and was the home of George and Elizabeth Cadbury, from 1894 until George died in 1922.
The building was given to The University of Birmingham in 1952, which used it as a halls of residence.
It has been derelict since 2007.
In 2012 a planning application was submitted to Birmingham City Council to turn it into apartments by Banner Homes.