This is a rum do and no mistake

[Snoopy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7586592.stm

Large country house is destroyed by fire in the early hours, outbuildings are also destroyed. Sundry horses are found dead in the remains of the outbuildings, dogs have "gone missing" and the family that lived in the house are, as yet, nowhere to be found. Meanwhile various "stories" are flying around that suggest the "Man of the House" was a bit of a fly by night sort of character, known to have been Company Sec of a business that failed recently, has other business interests and the "locals", or at least those interviewed by the Daily Mail, The Sun and the Mirror, have theories of "dirty deeds", strange comings and goings of people in posh cars etc. The only consensus seems to be that the family didn't mix much with their neighbours.
The various buildings destroyed seem to have been far enough apart to suggest that several separate fires occurred which is suggestive of arson.
Is it an insurance fiddle, a vendetta or an unfortunate set of circumstances? Have I played too much Cluedo with the children on wet summer afternoons?

It is worthy of Agatha Christie.

[Barman]

They said on the wireless this morning that they are going to enter the house for the first time today… surely that can’t be right…? 

[Snoopy]

Apparently they have been waiting for a structural engineer to declare it "safe"

[Darwins Selection]

If no bodies are found, then my money is on a Perrin-esque evacuation plan.

[Snoopy]

The family could, of course, be on holiday in sunnier climes and unaware of what has happened ~ the child is not due back in school for another week or so. I find it hard to believe they would have let their own horses die in a fire. Horsey people don't do that sort of thing ~ that said if they were away then surely somebody would have to be looking after the animals and would by now have come forward to say something ..... unless.

Where is 'ercule when he is needed?

[Darwins Selection]

The family could, of course, be on holiday in sunnier climes and unaware of what has happened ~ the child is not due back in school for another week or so. I find it hard to believe they would have let their own horses die in a fire. Horsey people don't do that sort of thing ~ that said if they were away then surely somebody would have to be looking after the animals and would by now have come forward to say something ..... unless.

Where is 'ercule when he is needed?

The horses will turn out to be hollow and full of Oompah-Loompah mercenaries with cans of petrol.

[Barman]

Apparently they have been waiting for a structural engineer to declare it "safe"

PC madness... they should have all gone rushing in looking for survivors... like in the old days like... 

[Darwins Selection]

Two bodies found now.

If they are female, switch the plot from Perrin to Lucan.

[Snoopy]

And the horses were all shot before the fire. According to the Mail a horse box, with the tyres deliberately let down, had been placed across the locked entrance to delay the fire services gaining entry. Quite how the DM reporters KNOW the intent is another matter.

It is obvious, looking in yesterday's papers, at the aerial photos of the property that several fires occurred and that they were probably started separately.

So arson without a doubt and now we can add at least two murders most foul ...... but by whom?

[Darwins Selection]

And the horses were all shot before the fire. According to the Mail a horse box, with the tyres deliberately let down, had been placed across the locked entrance to delay the fire services gaining entry. Quite how the DM reporters KNOW the intent is another matter.

It is obvious, looking in yesterday's papers, at the aerial photos of the property that several fires occurred and that they were probably started separately.

So arson without a doubt and now we can add at least two murders most foul ...... but by whom?

Suicide pact? (Not including the horses of course, equine consent is hard to prove)

[Just One More]

A few hours ago Times online were reporting the two bodies found were those of the wife and husband. Now ITV news have reported that one body is the wife, but they haven't said who the second one was

[The Moan Ranger]

The husband is also a suspect for raping a 31 year old "student".  Apparently.

[Nick]

It's a puzzle

Dead bloke found in the house
 

[Snoopy]

It certainly gets odder ~ the more we learn the less we seem to know.

[Nick]

They'll prolly find Madeleine McCann in there somewhere

And I see they have found a third body now