Owners of £8million Cotswolds manor 'devastated' after huge blaze rips through historic building a year after they bought it

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 13:02 EDT, 8 September 2026 | Updated: 13:58 EDT, 8 September 2026 The owners of a Grade II-listed Cotswolds manor has been left 'devastated' after a blaze ripped through the £8million property just a year after it was purchased.Images from the scene show the extensive damage caused to Barton House after an electrical fire ripped through the historic manor house. The property, which dates back to the 17th century, was restored in the early 20th century and was home to the Hambro family for decades.In January 2025, it was sold to a private buyer for £8.28million, who has been left with ash and ruins after an inferno on Saturday morning. Fire crews were at the scene for almost 12 hours before the blaze was eventually extinguished just before midnight.Fresh images of the Cotswolds manor show the blaze obliterated its roof; however, it is not yet clear how much of the interior has been destroyed.The owners of the home, who asked not to be named, said they were in 'shock' after the 'devastating' fire. They said the blaze was sparked by an 'electrical fault in a light fitting' that began on the first floor. '30 local people from Guiting Power helped clear up the house on Sunday, and we've had hundreds of messages of support from local residents,' they said. Images taken on Tuesday show the extensive damage caused to the Grade-II listed property in the Cotwolds The fire in Barton House, which was sold for £8million in January 2025, is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault, the owners have said The 'devastating' inferno began on Saturday morning and took fire crews 12 hours to bring under control 'We are extremely grateful to everyone who lives around us.'Locals have also voiced their sadness as a huge clean-up mission is underway in a bid to salvage the historic property. 'It was a huge fire, and it looks as [though the] top floor may be lost, with lots of damage to the rest of the house,' a local said. 'Very sad to see such a beautiful house so badly damaged, especially after all the recent refurbishment.'Another added: 'Such awful news, hope everyone is safe.'It comes as firefighters from across the region rushed to tackle the fire, including crews from Chipping Campden, Winchcombe and Moreton.A Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: 'We were called at 11.52am on Saturday, September 5, to a domestic fire in Guiting Power.'Eight engines were sent to the scene and used three jets, two hose reels and 24 breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire. The stop message was received at 11.30pm.'The main house is Grade II listed and is located within the sprawling fields within the Cotswold National Landscape.The home in Barton, near Guiting Power, also features a pool house as well as swimming pool and tennis court.