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The remains of some of Mr Chappelow’s possessions lie in a skip in front of his house |
Police are tight-lipped over cause of fire at murder scene
Dead man’s possessions dumped in skip outside home in Hampstead road
A FIRE tore through a house in Hampstead just nine days after the dead body of its reclusive owner was discovered under a pile of papers.
Police and forensic experts working on the murder investigation into the death of Allan Chappelow, 86, were still at the Downshire Hill address when the fire started at Friday lunchtime.
Police found his body in the house on June 14 following reports from Mr Chappelow’s bank that thousands of pounds were being taken from his account, prompting fears of identity theft and fraud.
Police are now keeping tight-lipped about the cause of the blaze that a fire officer at Belsize fire station confirmed caused up to 35 per cent damage on the ground floor.
Less serious fire damage was caused on the basement and first floor of the house, which became notorious for its overgrown garden and ramshackle appearance among the smart houses in one of Hampstead’s grandest roads.
In a sad twist, the burnt remains of possessions of Mr Chappelow, who was possessive of his privacy, now lie for all to see in a skip at the front of his house.
Amongst the heap of personal belongings are a letter to Mr Chappelow, or a ‘valuation for rating from the Borough of Hampstead’, dated March 29, 1963; a fire-damaged photograph of an elderly gentleman; a torn copy of a biography he wrote on the playwright George Bernard Shaw entitled “Shaw The Chucker Out”; a record, vase and some socks.
This week the celebrated official biographer of Shaw, Michael Holroyd expressed his sadness at Mr Chappelow’s “tragic end”.
Mr Holroyd, who became Shaw’s official biographer, publishing three volumes of work between 1988 and 1992, said he frequently referred to Mr Chappelow’s writing when compiling his research.
Friend Anthony Kessler, who got to know Mr Chappelow some 30 years ago as a fellow motorcycling enthusiast, described him as an intellectual who was “always interested in what you had to say”.
He recalled: “Although I knew him for 30 years he was the type of person that didn’t go to your house or invite you round.
“One time he had the flu and he asked me to go and buy him a hot water bottle and things. When I took them round he said thank you and shut the door. I think his house was his private place.”
Mr Kessler, of Primrose Hill, added he believed Mr Chappelow’s health had deteriorated in recent months.
He said: “The last time I saw him was about six months ago in Swiss Cottage library. He looked half the size of man he used to be.” |
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