Guests flee fire at Branson’s Caribbean home

A fire has substantially damaged a home belonging to Sir Richard Branson on on the Caribbean island of Necker.

Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet and her children were among those who managed to escape unhurt today after a middle-of-the-night fire ripped through Sir Richard Branson’s luxury home in the Caribbean.

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

“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.”

Sir Richard, 60, bought Necker Island in the early 1980s and began building the eight-bedroom Great House in 1982.

Affording great views, it is used by the Branson family as well as friends, and can also be hired – but at great cost. Each of the bedrooms has its own balcony, four-poster bed and en-suite bathroom. A staff of 70 look after guests.

“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 said.

Sir Richard said he was keen to get things back to normal as soon as possible: “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.”