LONDON -- Fire today destroyed a 500-year-old country home of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richard.
The house had to be rebuilt after a similar blaze in l973, almost nine years ago to the day.
Richard is in the United States and only George Papageoreiou, the caretaker, was in the building when the fire was discovered early today.
Richard bought the five-bedroomed house, Redlands in West Wittering, Sussex, in l966. It is believed the artist stayed there last weekend.
Nobody was injured by the blaze and a fire brigade spokesman said there were no signs of suspicious circumstances.
Sixty-five firemen spent six hours bringing the fire under control. Three-quarters of the thatched roof was destroyed, along with half the contents of the building.
Richard had the house rebuilt and rethatched after the previous blaze.
