JLS singer Oritse Williams’ £3m mansion in Croydon has been severely damaged by fire – days after he was cleared of raping a fan in a hotel room in 2016.
The 32-year-old was arrested after a 20-year-old woman claimed he had raped her at the Ramada Park Hotel in Wolverhampton following a solo concert. He argued they had consensual sex and was found not guilty of all charges by a jury on 28 May.
The home, which is now derelict after the singer abandoned it in the wake of the allegations, went up in flames on Tuesday afternoon.
Photographs show significant damage to the building, with the roof burnt out and the second and third floors destroyed.
A swimming pool half-full of green water and a neglected garden are also visible.
Around 70 firefighters attended the blaze at the three storey building, which was previously the home of comedian Ronny Corbett who lived there for 33 years.
London Fire Brigade issued a statement which read: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a fire at a derelict property on Spout Hill in Croydon.
“Part of the first and second floor of a detached three-storey building were damaged by fire. A small part of the roof was also damaged.
“The Brigade was called at 16.27 and the fire was under control by 1858. Fire crews from Addington, Croydon, Biggin Hill, Purley and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.
“The cause of the fire is under investigation.”
