The Shropshire mansion where two bodies were found yesterday went up in flames just hours before bailiffs arrived.

They turned up to find the home of businessman Christopher Foster and his family sealed off by police after the arson attack late on Monday night.

Police announced yesterday that they had recovered two bodies from the rubble of Osbaston House in the village of Maesbrook in Shropshire.

Foster, 50, his wife Jillian, 49, and their 15-year-old daughter, Kirstie, have been missing since the blaze.

Foster is now known to have been facing ruin after the loss of his business with debts of about £1.8m. A legal restriction was imposed on his mansion in May, blocking its sale without authorisation from corporate liquidators.

Foster’s friends were facing up to the possibility yesterday that he may have been responsible for Monday night’s attack.

“I have never seen him lose his temper and he was no more stressed by business than anyone else,” said Terrence Baines, his former accountant. “But it is those who bottle it up that can end up cracking.”

The family was last seen returning to the country estate from a friend’s barbecue on Monday evening. The power was cut and the mansion set alight later that night.

A horsebox was rammed against the gates to prevent access and the family’s animals, including three horses, are reported to have been shot dead. The family’s cars were also set alight.

Police are awaiting further information before commenting on the attack and are not ruling out any theories. Superintendent Gary Higgins, of West Mercia Police, said: “The remains will be examined by a Home Office pathologist and post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out to establish the cause of death.”

It is understood there are no records of mobile phone or credit card use to suggest that any of the Fosters are alive. Police are continuing to search the house for a third body, but their work has been hampered by the risk of falling masonry and may take several weeks.

“It is going to be a painstaking and lengthy process before the full examination of the house and its surrounds is completed,” said Higgins.

“We will keep an open mind concerning what we may or may not find.”

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