Suspected arson attack leaves architect with £500,000 bill

Jonathan Reed is now offering a 10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the those responsible for the blaze at the house, which is tucked away in an isolated spot in the North York Moors National Park.

Mr Reed, who grew up in Great Ayton and now runs a London-based international design firm specialising in exclusive residential properties, yesterday spoke of his heartache after the blaze ruined his hopes of retiring to the three-bedroom home

Fire investigators have told Mr Reed that the intensity of the blaze has left the stonework of the property, which was originally built in the 1870s as a farmstead, unsuitable for reconstruction.

He bought Dale Head House, between Hawnby and Osmotherley, two-and-a-half years ago and has been renovating the derelict ruin for the past 12 months.

"The fire appears to be the latest incident of anti-social behaviour which is becoming increasing prevalent in the national park," said Mr Reed, 45.

"My intention was to live in the house part-time and as an architect brought up in the area with strong local connections, I intended to retire to the house.

"The incident is upsetting because so much time and energy has been invested over the past year by many talented local crafts people.

"We were hoping the result would be a landmark renovation within the national park. It looks like a mindless act of vandalism has prevented this from ever happening.

"It has destroyed a fantastic house in a beautiful area and has probably cost me 500,000."

A builder who was staying at the site woke up at about 2am on May 24 to discover the property was well ablaze, although details of the fire were released by North Yorkshire Police only yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Ian Fieldsend urged anyone who travelled along the Hawnby to Osmotherley road between 9pm on May 23 and 4am on May 24 to get in touch.

Det Sgt Fieldsend said: "This incident has cost the victim an awful lot of money and has more or less destroyed a project which he had spent a lot of time and effort on."

Anyone with information about the blaze can contact Det Sgt Fieldsend on 0845 6060247 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.