Surrey Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed that the fire which destroyed the 18th century mansion was most likely caused by an electrical fault.
Clandon Park near Guildford was evacuated when a blaze started in the building in April 2015. No injuries were reported, however the fire spread rapidly, causing significant damage to the Palladian mansion, including thousands of valuable items and important collections.
The report concluded that the fire was accidental and was caused by a defect in an electrical distribution board. A lack of fire protection in the fuse cupboard ceiling combined with the stately home’s historic design allowed the fire to spread.
A National Trust spokesman said “None of our staff would have been able to identify this as a potential issue. The fault had not been detected during a number of previous professional checks by electricians. The fire at Clandon was a terrible blow, with the loss of such a significant historic interior.”
The faulty connection in the distribution board was found to be considerably tighter than others on the same component, causing a deformation to the wiring. Over time, this caused the connection to loosen and generate considerable heat.
The National Trust has announced that Clandon Park will be rebuilt and that it is considering options for the house. Scaffolding is already being erected around the house and a temporary roof is soon to be put in place.
Electrical wiring quality
If you have concerns about the quality of the electrical wiring in your home, office or factory, Eaton Electrical can arrange an inspection to ensure that your wiring is safe and up to date.
Call us on 01509 414 222 or email office@eatononline.co.uk.
