Discarded cigarette caused £6m damage to Moreton Hall

A discarded cigarette has caused a £6 million blaze which gutted an historic college.
A smouldering fag-end casually flicked away by a worker, led to the inferno which wrecked Moreton Hall - Warwickshire College’s flagship building - last March. 
Plumbers contracted by the college to carry out regular maintenance checks were working in the Grade II listed mansion’s roof space. 
The college, which takes further education students from all over Coventry and Warwickshire, is near the village of Moreton Morrell in south Warwickshire. 
Ian Tonner, the fire service’s area risk manager for Rugby, said: “We’re not blaming anyone or putting anyone in the frame - it was an accident. 
“Though it was a non-smoking site, a worker had gone on to the roof for a sneaky cigarette. 
“He then dropped it down a hole that he thought was a drain pipe. It wasn’t, it was a hole in the roof’s lining. 
“A few seconds of thoughtlessness has cost millions of pounds, and just highlights the dangers of discarding cigarettes.” 
He refused to reveal the identity of the firm involved. 
As the blaze took hold staff were evacuated and smoke could be seen for miles around. 
More than 80 firefighters with 15 engines from two counties battled for three days to save the Edwardian gem, which is the campus’s HQ for agricultural and equine courses. 
The inquiry into the cause, which has just been completed by insurance experts, had been hampered by severe weather and the extent of the damage. 
A short while later Warwickshire Police ruled out foul-play. 
The blaze ripped out the roof, while the interior, including marble bathrooms and oak panelled walls, were severely damaged by smoke, fire and water. 
Insurers and builders are still working with conservation experts to restore the exterior to the property, which was built in 1906. 
The painstaking project should be completed by March 2010. 
The college’s principal, Ioan Morgan, said: “The investigators have said it was due to a discarded cigarette. 
“I think at the time plumbing was being looked at in the roof. 
“I can’t say too much about the investigation. All I can say is that we’re fully funded for the works that are needed, as we’re covered by our insurance. 
“Work is well underway so that the building can be restored to its former glory. 
“Our insurers, NFU Mutual, have been outstanding.”

Source: Coventry Telegraph