Probe into blaze at historic Bridgnorth building continues
A probe is ongoing into the cause of a blaze at an historic house in Bridgnorth that was recently saved from demolition.
Adam Matthews, the incident commander for Shropshire Fire and Rescue, said that a number of rooms had been damaged by fire, and that those that hadn't been damaged by fire were damaged by smoke.
He said: "Initial indications would show the fire started on the first floor and subsequently spread to the roof space.
"The first floor had been heavily damaged. A number of rooms have been damaged by fire and those that haven't been damaged by fire have been damaged by smoke. Unfortunately due to the construction of the building the roof has been damaged in all areas."
He said that investigations into the cause of the fire was ongoing and that it was too early to rule anything out.
A woman who lives near to Innage Lane but asked to be anonymous said: "It's a real shame that there was a fire. It's sad when any building is damaged in that way.
"I walk past Innage Lea house every day, and it has been vandalised quite frequently by kids over the last few weeks. They've been breaking fence panels, getting in and doing damage.
"It's sad that so many people fought to save it and this is what happens to it."
Joe Wilson, 36, a paramedic in Dudley, walks past Innage Lea house every day.
He said: "Since the fence has been knocked down you see the house more. I do look up and I think it's a shame that it's not being used.
"The fire has been a big surprise. There have been a lot of kids causing problems, knocking down fencing panels, but this has come as a big surprise.
"I can understand why councillors and residents were fighting to save it. It was a lovely house."
Robert Hodson, 77, from the Hookfields, said: "Bridgnorth history is going bit by bit.
"I've lived here for 12 years, I'm not a native of the place, but I was led to believe Bridgnorth was a place in the sticks, but once you live here you think twice. As soon as it goes dark I lock the door. There's all sorts of people who go up and down Innage Lane."
The building, close to William Williams builder's merchants and metres away from Bridgnorth Fire Station, was earmarked as a site to be developed for 55 retirement apartments.
But following a campaign by Bridgnorth Civic Society, the plans were turned down by Shropshire Council.
