Demolishing a building generally requires planning permission, that was extended to houses in 90's when developers were demolishing perfectly good houses to establish permission for a more profitable development. It was being put forward for listing and coincidentally it burnt down just after the new owner purchased it. She was the wife of the owner of a plant hire company, so bad luck all round. Arson is arson though and if it can be proved, which seems dubious, prosecutions could be brought. It matters not if the owner or someone connected did it, arson endangers the environment, fire fighters, and the public.
Blup