Article in Daily Mirror April 4th 1910:

ENGLISH MANSION BURNED

Hope End Mansion, Ledbury, was gutted by fire on Friday night. 

The damage amounts to nearly £50,000. the fire at the mansion which is owned by Mr Charles Archibald HEWITT, broke out in the top of the building during the night, and was first discovered by a lady's maid. Assisted by the pitch pine ceilings and doors, the flames rapidly spread, and the occupants had to escape partly dressed. 

There was a large number of willing helpers, and the fire brigade was quickly upon the scene, but great damage was done, the family jewels being destroyed, as also were some valuable doors, inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which had been removed from the old house once occupied by Elizabeth Barrett BROWNING, when it was pulled down. 

In the midst of the conflagration two tanks, each containing sixteen hundred gallons of water, fell from the top of the building through the burning mass. The damage is party covered by Insurance.