We are extremely sad to confirm reports of a serious fire at Chilford Hall on Wednesday 13th June 2012 during the early hours of the morning.
The fire has affected the Linton Hall Barn, Gallery, Great Hall and Pavilion.
We are working on re-establishing our communications system and phone lines as quickly as possible - the events team is contacting clients to inform them of the devastating news.
Update 13.06.2012- 1015hrs: Chilford Hall has a working phone line - please bear with us as we are receiving a high volume of calls. If you have concerns about your event please contact us on 01223 895600.
Cambridge Constabulary statement:
"Two people have been arrested following a fire at Chilford Hall during the early hours.
"A 27-year-old man from Haverhill has been arrested on suspicion of arson and is currently in custody at Parkside Police Station.
"A 26-year-old man from Haverhill has been arrested on suspicion of arson and is currently in custody at Parkside Police Station.
"Both men were arrested at an address in Haverhill during the early hours of this morning."
Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue statement:
At 3.20am, a call was received to report of smoke in the area of Chilford Hall of the A1052 in Linton.
A crew from Linton and a crew from Sawston were initially mobilised to check the area. When they arrived, they called for further fire engines to be sent.
Two crews from Cambridge, a command unit from Cambridgeshire, a crew from Huntingdon, a crew from Cottenham, a turntable ladder from Cambridge were sent, along with two crews from Haverhill, two crews from Newmarket and a crew from Mildenhall in Suffolk and a crew from Saffron Walden in Essex.
Firefighters tackled a fire in a barn used as a function room, measuring about 50 by 50 metres. They used six jets and a light portable pump to fight the fire.
Update 6.55am
There were about 60 firefighters tackling the fire including crews from Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex . Crews are still at the scene and have managed to stop the fire from spreading to a shop and a wine store, but the barns have been completely destroyed by fire.
The police are at the scene and a joint investigation by police and fire into the cause is taking place.
Update 9am
Four fire engines currently remain at the scene. Crews have stopped the fire from spreading and are now damping down the scene and checking for hotspots.
A fire investigation is ongoing.
Two men from Haverhill, aged 26 and 27 have been arrested in connection with this incident on suspicion of arson.
Press Contacts:
Laura Caulton - Chilford Hall Press Officer
0845 226 7469/ 07714 168766
Shelley Spratt - Cambridgeshire Constabulary
01480 422393/ 07801 033327
Jack Cutforth - Cambridge Fire and Rescue Service
01480 444569/ 07747 113255
