Five teenagers, aged 17 to 19, have been charged with arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered following a fire that largely destroyed Rheola House, a historic mansion in south Wales.
The blaze occurred on August 18, gutting the Grade II*-listed property designed by John Nash, who also created architectural landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch, and Brighton's Royal Pavilion. The mansion, built between 1812 and 1818, had been slated for transformation into a luxury retreat featuring a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, and spa.
Jason Brook, CEO of The Brook Group, the owners of Rheola House, described the fire as a "devastating setback." He noted the significant damage to the main house and stated the company would seek professional advice to determine the next steps. "Our sincere hope is that, despite this devastating setback, we will be able to emerge from this tragedy and continue with our plans for the Rheola Estate and its future," Brook said.
Brook also extended gratitude to the firefighters who worked to contain the blaze and the South Wales Police for their swift apprehension of the five individuals now charged. The remote location of the property presented additional challenges for emergency services.
Rheola House, situated on an estate spanning over 110 acres, was previously recognized by the Welsh heritage body Cadw as "an important early 19th century country house in the picturesque tradition."
Earlier in its history, the site was involved in an illegal waste racket. In a previous incident, businessman Howard Rees and his accomplice Huw Leyshon were convicted for using the estate to conceal and dump materials, including biohazardous waste. Rees reportedly profited £1.4 million, while Leyshon made £1.2 million before the property was sold in 2021.