Blundering rookie plumber burns down £5m mansion

The first day of a new job can be a nerve racking experience prone to professional mishaps.

And even the most experienced worker might expect to feel the heat.

So spare a thought for the rookie plumber who attempted a soldering job at this £5 million waterside home - and saw his efforts go up in smoke.



Fire crews are still looking into the exact cause of the fire which ripped through the Georgian mansion.

But it is thought it was started after polystyrene insulation caught fire from the flame of a blow torch.

Workers at the site were yesterday determined to keep the identity of their plumber colleague a secret.



But residents suggested the fire was accidentally sparked by a 17-year-old apprentice.

Investigators said the plumber, who is understood to have been working his first day, was very upset by the damage - a sentiment shared by the millionaire owner who planned to convert the building into a luxury hotel.

Eight-bedroom Kittery Court, in Kingswear, Devon, is owned by Andrew Brownsword - famous for his 'Forever Friends' range of greeting cards.

There's a news video here.