The National Trust’s insurers are suing a contractor and a consultant over the 2015 fire that gutted 18th-century mansion Clandon House in Surrey.
The roof and upper floors of the Grade-I-listed building were destroyed in the blaze, which spread through a lift shaft and voids, resulting in a repair bill estimated at £115m. A fault in an electrical distribution board in the basement is thought to have started the fire.
Contractor Cuffe Plc and consultant Tuffin Ferraby Taylor, which worked on the design and construction of the lift shaft around ten years before the fire, were named in Zurich Municipal’s writ at the Technology and Construction Court in London.
A spokesperson for Zurich Municipal said: “Following the devastating fire at Clandon Park, we have been working closely with the National Trust on this complex claim. As legal proceedings with other parties are ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this stage.”
In a statement, the National Trust said: “Our insurers Zurich Municipal are pursuing legal action against third parties for the losses suffered at Clandon Park during the fire on 29 April 2015. The National Trust is providing support in that litigation and we cannot comment on any questions relating to the case.”
Cuffe Plc has been contacted for comment. Tuffin Ferraby Taylor was not available for comment.
