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Northfield Manor House fire was arson attack Cadbury home Northfield Manor House destroyed in arson attack
(about 4 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 were tackling the blaze at Northfield Manor House from about 20:00 BST on Wednesday. At its height, up to 100 firefighters were tackling the blaze at Northfield Manor House, which started in Wednesday evening.
Flames and smoke could be seen from the Lickey Hills, about three miles (5km) away. No-one was injured. Flames and smoke could be seen from the Lickey Hills about three miles (5km) away. No-one was injured.
The fire service said the building, which has been empty for seven years, may have to be demolished. The building has been described as part of Birmingham's heritage and architecturally significant.
Structural engineers said there was a "slight possibility" it could be saved from demolition.
BBC reporter Steve Hermon said he had been told by firefighters it was the second arson attack at the building in two days, although the fire on Tuesday night was small.BBC reporter Steve Hermon said he had been told by firefighters it was the second arson attack at the building in two days, although the fire on Tuesday night was small.
Twenty fire engines, specialist hydraulic platforms and a high-volume water pump were sent to the Grade A-listed, four-storey brick building. Twenty fire engines, hydraulic platforms and a high-volume water pump were sent to the four-storey brick building.
David Boucher, from West Midlands Fire Service, said the fire 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.
He said 24 firefighters were still on site damping down.He said 24 firefighters were still on site damping down.
"Contractors will be coming in to make the building safe but I strongly suspect it will have to be demolished," he said. "The house is adjoined to other premises but we managed to contain it to just the manor house itself," he said.
"Unfortunately the manor house is totally devastated and the structure is collapsing inside." "Unfortunately the house is totally devastated and the structure is collapsing inside."
The fire service said the final decision on the building's future would be made by engineers at Birmingham City Council.
Labour MP for Birmingham Northfield Richard Burden said he had spoken to the engineers and "initial signs were that it could be saved".
"It's part of the area's heritage... it's important now that we retain the building," he said.
"Its appalling that people should do this kind of thing. There could have been people inside and it could have been much more serious."
Justin Cadbury, whose grandfather Egbert had lived in the manor house, said it was a "complete shock".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."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.""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."
Labour MP for Birmingham Northfield, Richard Burden MP said he hoped the building could be saved. Jim Sparrow, who lives nearby, said: "It's been vandalised over the last two to three years and this has been coming for a long time.
"It's part of the area's heritage...it's important now that we retain the building," he said.
"Its appalling that people should do this kind of thing. There could have been people inside and it could have been much more serious."
Jim Sparrow, who lives nearby, said: "It's been left in a disgraceful state of disrepair, it's been vandalised over the last two to three years and this has been coming for a long time.
"It's appalling that there's been no security around it and we've lost another building of architectural significance in the city.""It's appalling that there's been no security around it and we've lost another building of architectural significance in the city."
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 manor house, formerly known as Manor Farm, was originally built in 1820 and was the home of George and Elizabeth Cadbury from 1894.
After George died in 1922, Elizabeth continued to live there until her own death in 1951, aged 93.
The building was given to The University of Birmingham in 1952, which used it as a halls of residence.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. It has been unused since 2007.
In 2012 a planning application was submitted to Birmingham City Council to turn it into apartments by Banner Homes. In 2012 a planning application was submitted to Birmingham City Council to turn it into apartments, by Banner Homes.