The likely cause of a huge blaze which ravaged a historic building in December has been identified by fire investigators.
A report into the fire at the historic, Grade-II listed building, in Ewell Court House in Ewell Court Avenue, Ewell, points the finger at a low-powered frost inhibitor in the roof.
The six foot long tube, commonly used in greenhouses and other buildings, was above insulation in the roof space and investigators believe it set fire to combustible material which was placed too close to it.
The report has yet to be made public but an Epsom Council spokesman said: "The council is aware of the comments of the official incident report from Surrey Fire and Rescue that the fire was caused as a result of combustible materials being too close to a heat source.
"The council and its insurers continue to undertake investigations into the cause of the fire and at present cannot comment in any detail on the Incident Report.
"The council and its insurers will consider what action, if any, is taken as a result of the fire when those investigations are complete."
The council spokesman said the house was fully insured and the cost of the repairs will be covered by the insurance money.
The council is still waiting for a report from insurance investigators detailing the full cost of the repairs.
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