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VIGILANTE FIRE FEAR
JLS star Oritse Williams’ ‘arson-hit’ home had windows smashed by vandals hours after last week’s rape acquittal
A FIRE that devastated a mansion owned by JLS star Oritse Williams days after his rape acquittal may be arson, police say.
Neighbours said the house was also targeted hours after last week’s not guilty verdict.
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Vandals smashed windows and roof tiles, as well as tearing up fixtures inside the property — once home to comedian Ronnie Corbett.
Police have confirmed they are treating the blaze as suspicious.
A spokesman added: “It will form part of inquiries as to whether it is a case of arson.”
Investigators are looking at where and how the fire was started. There are reports of squatters in the area.
ATTACK HOURS AFTER RAPE ACQUITTAL
Oritse, 32, bought the six-bed pad in Croydon, South London, for £1.7million in 2011, but had not lived there for a year.
He put it back on the market in January for a similar amount after being charged with rape.
Land Registry documents show he is the legal owner, but lender Barclays Bank had a restriction placed on any changes to the title last year over money owed.
Seventy firefighters fought the blaze on Tuesday afternoon.
Aerial photos show extensive damage caused by the fire and locals suggest the building may now be condemned.
Oritse was last week cleared of raping a woman in his hotel room in Wolverhampton in 2016 after a solo show in the city.
A neighbour said the house was attacked hours later, adding: “Windows had been smashed, a rollerblind had been thrown out of the window, and a few roof tiles had been chucked on the floor on the drive.
“It was the day after Oritse got cleared. It was fresh damage.”
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Yesterday, Oritse was holed up with minders in a flat nearby and refused to comment.
Comedy hero Corbett lived at the house for 33 years and widow Anne, 86, still lives in the road.
She told The Sun: “I’m heartbroken and Ronnie would be too. I got the smell of smoke last night but only learned it was our old house today.
“It’s awful because at one stage my two daughters and I were talking about buying it back.
“They were in tears on the phone to me today.”
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Drone footage shows the extent of the damage to Oritse Williams’ mansion
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