Police searching for a millionaire and his family have finally entered the burnt remains of their house today.

Christopher Foster, 50, his wife Jill and 15-year-old daughter, Kirsty, have not been seen since their country estate near Maesbrook in Shropshire was razed by a suspected arson attack shortly before 5am on Tuesday.

Officers have already searched the grounds and found the family’s dead pets and horses, but until now the main body of the house was deemed unsafe to enter. Today, they have gone into Osbaston House itself unsure whether they will find the bodies of the Fosters inside.

West Mercia Police Superintendent Gary Higgins said: “We have completed a cursory search of the annexe part of the main building, which is relatively intact following the fire.

“Officers have completed a search of the outbuildings and are now in the process of removing vehicles from the site. We will enter the main part of the house today and forensic specialists will begin the lengthy, painstaking process of sifting and examining all the contents.”

Speculation over this week’s fire has been intense, with suggestions that Mr Foster was in financial difficulty but police are still trying to ascertain who may have started the fire.

Land Registry documents are understood to show that the family’s house, near Maesbrook, Shropshire, was in the hands of a firm of liquidators, Butcher Woods, of Birmingham, and a high street bank. It is not known whether the Fosters were under any pressure to leave their home. Butcher Woods declined to comment.

Mr Foster was last seen at a neighbour’s barbecue on Monday with his wife, Jillian, 49, and Kirstie, 15. Friends said that he appeared to be relaxed and in high spirits.

Shortly before 5am on Tuesday, villagers heard the sound of a car fuel tank exploding. Emergency services found that the family’s three horses and four dogs had been shot dead before the kennels, stables and main house, which appeared to have been barricaded from the inside, had been set alight.

Police said that “every possible scenario” behind the fire was being considered and they were following up all possible lines of inquiry.

The horses found dead at the scene have now been examined and post mortems on them were completed yesterday, with police awaiting the results.

Police confirmed that the bodies of three dogs were found close to the horses and a large horse box was parked close to the gates of the property. It has now been removed from the site for forensic examination.

Mr Higgins said: “There is extensive debris at the site and it will take some days, possibly several weeks, to complete this part of the investigation.

“We will be seeking to build up a picture of the circumstances leading up to the fire.”

Meanwhile police are developing profiles for all three family members. Mr Higgins added: “I’m aware there is a lot of speculation concerning this incident and we are anxious to clarify the exact circumstances as soon as possible. “However, I stress this will be a lengthy process and we would ask for the support and co-operation of the local community while we continue to work at the scene.

“Nearly 100 officers and support staff are continuing to work round the clock and more information will be released publicly as it becomes available.”

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