Arson probe police examine computer

7:02am Saturday 30th August 2008

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Police were examining a missing teenager's computer as they worked to solve the mystery surrounding her family's burnt-out country estate.

Kirstie Foster, 15, and her parents Christopher and Jill have not been seen since their home was gutted by a suspected arson attack on Tuesday

Police have searched parts of Osbaston House in Maesbrook, near Oswestry, Shropshire, but the family remain unaccounted for amid fears they died in the blaze.

The Fosters went to a friend's barbecue on Monday before returning to their home, reportedly worth £1.2 million, later that evening.

It was reported that Kirstie may have been talking online to friends in the hours before the fire, which destroyed a stable block, garage and badly damaged the house itself.

A spokeswoman for West Mercia Constabulary said police were looking at Kirstie's computer.

"We are aware that Kirstie had a computer and the use of that forms part of the inquiry," she said.

Police have refused to comment on reports that bullet cartridges and pools of blood were found in the courtyard.

A man who knew Mr Foster said he feared his former business associate may have "just flipped".

Terence Baines, a former director of Mr Foster's company Ulva Ltd, said: "It's anyone's guess but it seems that the people he owed money to are big companies.... he may have just flipped because the pressure of it was too much for him."