EMPTY SHELL
Blaze destroys footballer’s home
A £1.2m house belonging to a football player has been destroyed in a suspected arson attack.
The five bedroom home, set in two acres off Salisbury Road near Blue Bell Hill in Aylesford, went up in flames at 11pm on Saturday.
It belonged to footballer Daniel Spiller, who has most recently been playing for non-league Herne Bay in the Ryman League Division One South.
The 34-year-old bought the house – which was built just four years ago – in February last year. It included a cinema room, bar and entertainment room.
But all that was left on Sunday was the smouldering shell of the building. The 999 call was made by a neighbour, but by the time firefighters arrived the house was already well alight. Three fire crews battled in vain to save it, and called in a specialist water carrier to help. A drone was also used. But despite their efforts, only the framework and the detached triple garage was left standing.
It is understood that Mr Spiller was not at home at the time.
During his career the Maidstone-born midfielder has also had spells with Millwall and Gillingham, where he made more than 170 appearances, but now works as a distributor for nutrition company Herbalife.
He declined to speak to the Kent Messenger until the cause of the fire was known.
It is being treated as suspicious and police are now investigating.
Officers were standing guard outside the home on Sunday, and a uniformed presence was still there on Tuesday.
A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “It would be inappropriate to comment further until the investigation is complete.”