National Trust sues over lift shaft blamed for £115m fire
THE National Trust is suing a construction company and a firm of building surveyors for £115m in damages over a defective lift shaft blamed for a disastrous fire that gutted one of the charity’s most prestigious properties.
Grade I listed Clandon Park, near Guildford in Surrey, was the ancestral home of the Onslow family until it was given to the National Trust in 1956.
The stately home attracted more than 50,000 visitors a year. But the 18th century Palladian mansion suffered a catastrophic fire in 2015, caused by an electrical board in the basement.
Surrey Fire and Rescue’s report into the fire stated: “It is believed that the rapid fire spread observed occurred when the fire reached the lift shaft allowing the fire to rapidly spread to each floor of the building and into the roof.”
Five years on, the National Trust has lodged a claim in the High Court against building firm Cuffe and property consultancy Tuffin Ferraby Taylor.
“Owing to the unique nature of the property, and the nature of the restoration that will be required, the claimant estimates that they will exceed £115million,” according to the claim.
It contends that the construction company built a defective lift shaft that did not offer any protection against fire. Simon Cook, director at Cuffe, said: “Cuffe has recently served its defence to the allegations and denies any liability to the losses claimed.” A spokesman for TFT said: “The legal action is focused on seeking to recover a contribution to the insurance losses, where previous attempts have failed.”