Damages awarded over £4m island retreat blaze in Poole
A multi-millionaire whose £4m timber home was destroyed in a fire has won a seven-figure damages claim against builders involved in the project.
The chalet on Green Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset, was nearing completion when the blaze tore through it in 2012.
Berkshire-based Edward Iliffe bought the island for £2.5m in 2005.
A judge ruled that Feltham Construction Ltd was indirectly responsible for the defective installation of a logburner or flue that caused the blaze.
Mr Justice Stuart-Smith ordered compensation at London's High Court.
Feltham, which oversaw much of the green building's development, claimed it was not responsible as the flue and logburner were installed by a sub-contractor.
It also disputed claims that the fire originated in the roof space.
Mr Iliffe, from Newbury, won planning permission in 2010 to build a luxury six-bedroom log cabin which was purpose-built in Canada from cedar logs and shipped over.
The amount awarded has not yet been revealed.