This smouldering wreckage is all that remains today of Sir Richard Branson’s luxury Caribbean home after it was razed to the ground by fire.
The multi-million-pound Great House on Necker, the Virgin tycoon’s £60million private island, caught fire after it was struck by lightning in the early hours of Monday when the region was battered by Hurricane Irene.
And the tycoon revealed that as his family and guests fled for their lives the Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet carried his 90-year-old mother Eve to safety.
Winslet and her two children were among the VIP guests at the ravaged the wood and stone mansion and ran into the night air in just their pyjamas.
According to Sir Richard, courageous Miss Winslet acted like a true Hollywood heroine as she swept his 90-year-old mother Eve into her arms and helped carry her to safety as the mansion crumbled around them.
Also present in the 20-strong party was Sir Richard’s 29-year-old daughter Holly, who had been due to marry at the eight-bedroom property, which boasts stunning views of white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, on November 20.
Sir Richard, 61, was staying in another villa around 100 yards away with his wife Joan and son Sam and apparently ran naked towards the flames shortly after 4am.
Sam, 25, who had heard explosions coming from the house and raised the alarm, bravely rushed inside to help the guests get out. Fortunately there were no injuries.
Sir Richard said: ‘Around 20 people were in the house and they all managed to get out and they are all fine’.
Of Miss Winslet’s role, Sir Richard told ITV News: ‘It was she who carried my mother out of the house. She said it was like being on a film set where you’re waiting for the words “cut” but they just don’t come. So it was quite surreal for her to be in a real-life situation’.
‘She carried my Mum out of the house. My Mum is 90 and can walk but it was more just to speed the process up than anything else but anyway, she was great. She swept her up into her arms and got them out of the house as fast as possible.’
Dramatic photographs released by Sir Richard showed flames consuming the stunning mansion, which he built in 1982 in ‘Balinese’ style, with open-air bedrooms overlooking the ocean.
The island, which he bought for £180,000 in 1979, is used by both family members and friends but can also be rented for £34,000 a night.
Ever the optimist, Sir Richard said he was determined to rebuild the property. ‘It’s very much the Dunkirk Spirit here,’ he said. ‘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.
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