Kate Winslet escapes inferno at Sir Richard Branson's home

Glad no one got hurt:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3767262/Kate-Winslet-escapes-inferno-at-Sir-Richard-Bransons-home.html

By STAFF REPORTER

Published: Today
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KATE Winslet was forced to flee Sir Richard Branson's Caribbean home last night after a fire ripped through the house burning it to the ground.

The Oscar-winning actress had been holidaying at The Great House on the Virgin boss' Necker Island with her children.

Sir Richard's 90-year-old mother, Eve, and his 29-year-old daughter, Holly, also managed to escape the building unhurt.

Sir Richard, who was staying in another property around 100 yards away with his wife, Joan, and son, Sam, 25, said: "Around 20 people were in the house and they all managed to get out and they are all fine."

The 60-year-old bought Necker Island in the early 1980s and began building the eight-bedroom Great House in 1982.

Escaped ... Kate Winslet was staying in Sir Richard Branson's holiday home
Escaped ... Kate Winslet was staying in Sir Richard Branson's holiday home
He added: "We had a really bad tropical storm with winds up to 90mph. A big lightning storm came around 4am and hit the house.

"My son Sam rushed to the house and helped get everyone out. Kate Winslet, her boyfriend and her family were there and Holly and some of her friends were also staying. My mother was there and they managed to get her out and she is fine.

"The main house is completely destroyed and the fire is not yet completely out. My office was based in the house and I have lost thousands of photographs which is very sad."

He added: "It's very much the Dunkirk Spirit here. We want to rebuild the house as soon as we can.

"We have a wonderful staff here and we want them to stay in work.

"We'll all stay here for the time being.

"There's a lot of damage and we won't be able to stick it back together again right away. It was a beautiful house."
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Winslet, 35, who won an Oscar for her role in the 2008 movie The Reader, has a daughter Mia, ten, from her first marriage to Jim Threapleton, and a son, Joe, seven, by second husband, director Sam Mendes, from whom she is separated.

The Great House was expected to be the venue for the marriage later this year of Holly Branson and shipbroker Freddie Andrews.

Part of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, Necker is a private island owned by Sir Richard.

It is used by the Branson family as well as friends, and can also be hired.

Each of the bedrooms has its own balcony, four-poster bed and en-suite bathroom. A staff of 70 look after guests.

Hi Chrissie, I saw a T.V. Documentary last Year about Richard Branson and Necker Island, it is beautiful and very sad that he House is destroyed. He
also was buying another Island nearby and he rents out Necker to New Yorkers who fly over for a Weekend. He charges $3000 a night but Guests want for nothing and are cosseted by Staff.

You wouldn"t think, with his Fortune he would need to take in paying Guests would you, a bit of tax free Bunce though I suppose I"m glad no one was hurt though.