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Family pay tribute to Shropshire house fire victims

06/09/2008

Family members have paid tribute to the Shropshire house fire victims who died in the blaze last Tuesday.

The mother of Christopher Foster, who lives in South Shropshire, said the family was struggling to come to terms with what had happened.

She said: "I can't condone what he's done, but I've lost a dearly loved son, daughter-in-law and beautiful granddaughter. Kirstie was just a lovely girl.

"He talked to nobody, we knew nothing about his financial situation and it’s come as a tremendous shock.

"They were a very close, loving family unit and I don't think he could face telling them they were going to lose everything. But I am in no way condoning what he's done. It's very hard."

The brother of Jill Foster, Roger Doley, of Perton, Wolverhampton, said he was devastated at the loss of his sister and niece, describing Kirstie Foster as "horse-mad".

"Jill was just a nice girl, she always had a nice smile and always made you welcome," he said.

"I'm so heartbroken; I can't believe she’s gone forever."

Mr Doley added: "I remember the last time I saw Kirstie, she started giving me grief about being an old codger. Not anymore.

"But it was all in good humour. You would hear her shouting the horses' names as she went up the drive to feed them.

"There’s so much to remember. It's just sad that I’m never going to see them ever again."

Police believe Christopher Foster killed his wife Jill and teenage daughter Kirstie before setting his family's Shropshire mansion alight and committing suicide.

The family was last seen at a barbeque on the evening of August 25th.

Mr Foster's company had gone into liquidation and he owed about £800,000 in tax.