Kingston Place: Fire ‘started accidentally’ fire service says

The owners of the home have said they believe a fault in a electricity meter to be the cause of the fire that destroyed most of Kingston Place, a former rectory located next to the town’s Holy Trinity Church, in the early hours of Sunday, May 5.

A spokesperson for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “It looks as though the fire started accidentally due to an electrical issue.”

In a statement, the owners of Kingston Place, who do not wish to be named, said: “A forensic examination conducted by the Fire Service on the afternoon of 7th May, supplemented by the review of the captured security camera footage, pinpointed the fire's origin to be in the electricity meter cupboard located on the ground floor.

READ MORE: Kingston Place family thank fire crews for salvaging antique furniture

The fire at Kingston Place in Bradford on Avon started by accident. Image: Trevor Porter 77034-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

“The blaze subsequently spread vertically through the back rooms to engulf the whole roof, causing extensive damage to the property."

The fire totally destroyed the roof and part of the first floor and the ground floor of Kingston Place, which dates from 1840, also suffered damage.

The cause of the fire was determined following a multi-agency investigation that took place in the days directly after the fire.

The owners were not at home during the Spring Bank Holiday weekend when the fire took hold.

A spokesperson for the family said: “Fortunately, there were no injuries as the family was away during the Bank Holiday weekend. No-one was hurt in the blaze.

SEE MORE: Photos show devastation wrought by Kingston Place fire in Wiltshire

“They would like to express their profound gratitude to the Wiltshire Fire Service for their efficient and professional efforts in extinguishing the fire, as well as for the compassion demonstrated in salvaging some antique furniture items.

At the height of the incident firefighters attended from Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Corsham, Warminster, Devizes, and Chippenham. 

Firefighters used hose reels, main lines, and light portable pumps to extinguish the fire.

The family have lived in the property after inheriting it in 2005 and had completed an extensive two-year refurbishment programme in 2019.

They have since pledged to do whatever it takes to restore Kingston Place, which they described as an “extensively renovated and beautifully restored home”, saying “it will be rebuilt”.