Council steps in to protect fire-damaged building

A scaffolding roof will be installed to protect a 16th Century timber-framed building that was badly damaged by fire in January.

Perches House in Shrewsbury, which was uninsured, is Grade II listed and has been described by Shropshire Council as "amongst the most important historic buildings in the country".

The council said it was taking the action to prevent the risk of collapse and for public safety.

The owner of the building, Rose Roberts, died in the fire and her daughter, Jess Richards, said she was grateful for the local authority's support.

She said that while the "deeply loved family home" had been insured in the past, it was not insured at the time of the fire.

Preserving the building meant a "great deal" to the family, she said, and she also thanked people for their "kindness and patience during what has been an incredibly difficult time".

Shortly after the fire she launched an appeal to carry out repairs to the building and so far it has raised almost £34,000, but that is well short of the £100,000 she believed was needed to stabilise it.

In January she said up to £500,000 could ultimately be needed to restore the building.

Shropshire Council said it needed protecting from the weather, to reduce the risk of water damaging the structure further.

It said the complexity of the scaffolding needed meant it could take up to five weeks to erect.

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