Police officers and the fire service have begun a preliminary investigation of the building and are now appealing for anyone who may have and information to come forward.

Inspector Luke Breakspear of GMP’s South Manchester division said: “The investigation into how this fire began is in it’s infancy, however we are now treating it as suspicious.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have any information or may have seen anyone in the area in the early hours of this morning to come forward.

“This is a devastating fire in a beautiful building and we are determined to get to the bottom of how this could have happened.

“Luckily, no one was injured, but the damage to the building and its contents will have a lasting impact on the community, and those who dedicated their lives to Wythenshawe Hall.”

Manchester’s Fire Fighters spent the morning damping down and investigating the cause of this morning’s fire with Greater Manchester Police.
“This blaze has caused devastating damage to a historic building, but the quick actions of our crew have saved the majority of the structure.

“The fire was well developed when they arrived and firefighters did a fantastic job to stop it spreading through the timbers and voids in the property.

“We will work closely with Manchester City Council and The Friends of Wythenshawe Hall to help them recover from this terrible fire.” Said Area Manager Warren Pickstone from GMFRS

More than 50 firefighters battled the serious blaze at historic Wythenshawe Hall after Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to the timber-framed Tudor style museum and art gallery just after 3.30am when fire broke out in the roof.
On arrival the incident commander immediately called for six fire engines to attend the scene as well as a high-reach aerial appliance – similar to a cherry picker – to allow firefighters to get water into the roof space as quickly and effectively as possible.

The response was then further escalated to ten fire engines and over 50 firefighters as the team attempted to bring the blaze under control.

Wythenshawe Hall is a 16th-century medieval timber-framed historic house and former stately home set in 250m acres now known as Wythenshawe Park. The building is a half-timbered Tudor house and well known as the home of the Tatton family for almost 400 years. It was built in about 1540. It was donated to local people in 1930 and has been a museum and art gallery in recent years.
Area Manager Warren Pickstone from GMFRS explained: “We are doing everything we can to save as much of this building as we can. The fire is in the roof and is difficult to access but we have specialist resources at the scene and we are doing our best. The fire is in the main black and white traditionally clad Tudor building with the historic clock tower, which was also on fire. So far we believe we have lost the roof and the first floor.”

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