Fears an historic house could have been victim to an arson attack amid controversial redevelopment plans
Historic house was set to become six new properties
An historic house in Gosport that was controversially due to be redeveloped could have been victim to an arson attack, according to residents.
Youths were reportedly seen running from the scene of the 18th century Georgian house Privett Lodge on Privett Road, just behind Gosport Borough FC, after it became engulfed in flames a short time after 8pm on Wednesday (June 10).
The roof of the derelict property collapsed after the fire started in the conservatory and spread. No one was injured as the road was closed off.
Residents were told to leave their doors and windows closed, and there were road closures in place on Privett Road, Privett Place and Daniels Place while firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using multiple hose reel jets, continued to fight the fire.
Fire crews from Gosport and Portchester continued to dampen down the site throughout the night and into the morning.
Privett Lodge belonged to the affluent Carter family who were once one of the most prominent landowners in Hampshire with ties to major historical figures such as Florence Nightingale.
But the iconic house was due to be demolished by Alpine Homes Limited to make way for six new homes despite attracting widespread opposition from residents who said they were in the dark about the proposal going before the council.
Locals told The News youngsters were seen “running” from the area after the fire. Since it became public knowledge the house was empty, it has been beset by regular break-ins and trespassing, this newspaper was told.
Resident Gemma Newman and her husband thought a bonfire had started before going to investigate around 7.45pm. The 46-year-old said: “At first we thought it was a bonfire out of control. We ran over and could see the conservatory at the back was on fire before the windows started smashing.
“The roof of the house was smoking and then flames suddenly went up through the roof. It didn’t take long to set off.
“It was quite concerning but luckily for us the wind was blowing the other way.”
Gemma said the front door was open “so clearly someone had been in there” before adding: “The fire didn’t start itself.”
Speaking of the contentious redevelopment plans, she said: “A couple lived there until four months ago when a developer bought it. They got planning permission after it was snuck through - we never got any notice of what was happening. Neighbours have always contested having it redeveloped.”
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Another couple also believed it was a bonfire around 8pm when they saw smoke. “I went down the side alleyway and looked over the wall and could see the conservatory roof was on fire,” the male eyewitness said.
His partner added: “There was smoke coming from the roof of the house before I suddenly saw huge flames come up through the roof.”
Wendy Forsyth, 65, said: “It was a shock to see. It was a bad fire…the whole roof collapsed. The road was closed off and people were out watching it. I went to bed at 1am and firefighters were still dampening it down.”
The News was told the house had seen a number of break-ins in recent weeks with youths reportedly arrested after being found inside around two weeks ago. “There’s been a few break-ins with damage caused inside and copper pipes stolen,” a local said.
“The problems started after someone posted online recently announcing it was empty. Since then it has attracted lots of unwanted attention.
“There’s been a lot of rubbish being said that the house was deliberately burnt down for the redevelopment. There’s been a lot of kids using it and there were kids seen running away from the scene. Everyone has doorbell cameras here so it shouldn’t be too hard for police to find out.”
Meanwhile resident Jamie Williams previously said he was hopeful the house - which he likened in its importance to Gosport as similar to Jane Austen's House in Chawton - could be saved. “It’s a very rare building, it’s a Georgian house but it has a lot of Victorian interiors,” he said.
“Mayor Gregson lived and died there. He was the mayor during the second World War, he got an OBE and a Freedom of the City award, so there is so much history there.”
He added: “They are demolishing it to build unaffordable houses. There has been so much local uproar from the residents. Every single person in Privett Road has put in an objection but it is just rolling through.
“Every time I’ve gone anywhere I’ve met a brick wall because planning has been approved.”
A fire service spokesperson said: “A crew from Gosport returned to the scene this morning to conduct a further inspection of the property. No hotspots were identified.
“Due to the extent of the structural damage sustained by the building, it has not been possible to determine the cause of the fire at this time.”
A police spokesperson said: “At this stage the investigation into the cause of the fire is being led by the fire service.”