Investigators are hoping to enter the fire-ravaged Shropshire home of a missing millionaire and his family amid fears they may be dead inside.

The home of Christopher Foster, his wife Jill and 15-year-old daughter Kirstie, in Maesbrook near Oswestry, was devastated in a suspected arson attack on Tuesday morning. The family has been missing since the the fire.

It took fire crews several hours to control the blaze that damaged a stable block and garage. Three horses were found dead. Police and fire investigators have not yet been able to get inside Osbaston House as it was too badly damaged.

West Mercia Constabulary refused to comment on rumours that bullet cartridges and pools of blood have been found at the house, which is reported to be worth £1.2 million.

The force also refused to confirm or deny newspaper reports which suggested police feared Mr Foster may have shot dead his family before boarding himself in the house and setting fire to it.

A police spokesman said: "There is a lot of speculation going on. When we are able to we will issue facts. We are not able to go into the building so we do not know what, if anything, is inside."

Firefighters worked through Tuesday night damping down the building and reducing the temperature so structural experts could begin to stabilise the house.

Superintendent Gary Higgins said every possible line of inquiry to trace the family was being followed up.

e said: "Until we can enter the property, we do not know whether the family was inside at the time of the fire, which we believe was started deliberately. Once it has been deemed safe, specialist search teams and forensic experts will go in.

"This is being treated as arson and, until we can determine whether the family was inside, it will remain arson."