Two people have been arrested following a fire at Chilford Hall during the early hours of 13 June, according to a statement from Cambridge Constabulary.
The hall’s Linton Hall Barn, Gallery, Great Hall and Pavilion venues are all affected by the blaze.
Chilford Hall Vineyard and Conference Centre, set in 40 acres of Cambridgeshire countryside, is a popular local wedding venue and one of the largest dedicated events venues in Eastern England. It has been the Alper family home since 1965.
Mark Hall and Thomas Richardson were subsequently charged at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court with two counts of arson and intent to endanger life. An arsonist was jailed earlier this year for setting fire to Peckforton Castle after a wedding reception.
The fire at Chilford Hall has affected the Linton Hall Barn, Gallery, Great Hall and Pavilion. The blaze was attended by 10 fire engines and 60 firefighters and a statement from the venue says the company is “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.”
Management at Chilford have scrambled to secure marquees so they can fulfil bookings after flames caused damage running into hundreds of thousands of pounds. Their efforts mean the wedding of Emma Farr and Greg Smith from Cherry Hinton can still go ahead today (14 June).
Simon Alper said he was “devastated” by the events.
“The fire brigade have been brilliant to save the winery and study centre,” he said, adding: “We are getting on the phone talking to clients and sorting out whatever we can for them.
“That’s the business we’re in, of looking after people – although we’ve had this devastating fire, we still have to look after them. We’re so sorry for them, we’ll do whatever we can.”
Vicky Ford, Conservative MEP for the East of England told the local Cambridge News she was “absolutely devastated” by what had happened. “This was a historic, irreplaceable and very unique building, where we, like so many others, have celebrated happy, memorable occasions.”
A spokesman for the fire service said: “Crews managed to stop the fire spreading to a shop and a wine store on the site but the barn has been completely destroyed by the fire.
“Police are at the scene and a joint investigation by police and fire into the cause of the fire is taking place.”
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