SLIDESHOW: Arsonists torch Chevet Lodge during burglary

Arsonists torched a Grade II-listed family home during a burglary raid.
Chevet Lodge - The house was burgled and the set on fire. (W522B436)Chevet Lodge - The house was burgled and the set on fire. (W522B436)
Chevet Lodge - The house was burgled and the set on fire. (W522B436)

David Oddie, who lives at Chevet Lodge, says he is devastated by the attack which has left his home uninhabitable.

The intruders went into the house on Chevet Lane, Sandal, around 2pm on Friday.

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They stole televisions, a computer and a small amount of jewellery before setting fire to the property.

Chevet Lodge - The house was burgled and the set on fire. (W522B436)Chevet Lodge - The house was burgled and the set on fire. (W522B436)
Chevet Lodge - The house was burgled and the set on fire. (W522B436)

Mr Oddie, 54, who has lived in the house for three years, said: “A proportion of the house is incinerated and the rest is smoke and water damaged.

“The windows had to be broken by the firefighters to let all the smoke out.

“It’s completely uninhabitable and I wont be able to move back in this side of Christmas, there’s tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage.

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“I have had houses burgled in the past but having your home set on fire is completely different and quite alarming.”

A passer-by raised the alarm after seeing smoke billowing from the lodge.

The Grade II-listed building was built in the late 1700s.

It is one of the few remaining gatehouses which were part of the Chevet Hall Estate.

Det Sgt Pete Whittam, of Wakefield CID, said: “This was a burglary and a deliberate arson attack on a family home which is also Grade II-listed building.

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“Fortunately nobody was home at the time but the property has suffered severe damage.

“It is situated close to a busy road and, even though the property sits back from the street, the fact it happened in the middle of the day, around 2pm, means somebody might have seen something or someone that can help us find who is responsible.

“If anyone was in the Chevet Lane area on Friday lunchtime and has any information which could aid this investigation, please contact Wakefield CID on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

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