'Senseless' arsonists set fire to historic outhouse

The Fire Service were called out to attend the fire at the Mount house opposite the Dell Primary school at 4am on January 28.

CADRO officer Tony O'Connor said: "We are on the look-out for two males of average height aged between 16-20 wearing darkish hoodies, who were seen in the area just before the fire happened. We are treating it as a case of arson and would like members of the public to come forward with any information that they have."

The main building was untouched by the flames but the outhouse was severely damaged. The value of the damage is still unknown but the fire was so extensive it caused the roof to collapse. Fire crews had to use four pumps before they eventually stopped the fire.

The Mount was a school for a number of years. In the mid 1980s Bovis bought the site and sold the main house, annexe and stable block to the Bird Group, which they vacated in the early 90s.

The building may have been the site of a Roman watching mound guarding the crossing of the Wye and the road to Venta Silurum. The house itself was probably built in or before 1786 by John Baldwyn a timber and bark merchant, who died in Chepstow in 1791. His widow called the house Mount Pleasant for a time in about 1804.

The Pegler family, who owned a chain of grocery stores also lived in the house for many years.

Tom Kirton from St Anns Street in Chepstow said: "Myself and a friend walked up to the Mount a few days before the fire because we are currently looking around to find derelict buildings that can be put to good use.

"When I walked into the outhouse I was amazed by the quality of the green tiles and the general condition of the place. I thought it was such a shame it was not being used. It is shocking that it has now been burnt down, but that is always the danger when buildings are left to do nothing."

CADRO officer Tony O'Connor described the arson as: "Callous and senseless damage to property."