York Minster firefighters liken Notre Dame fire to 1984 blaze

Firemen survey the fire damage to the South Transept of York Minster on July 10 1984
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Megan White16 April 2019

Firefighters who tackled a devastating blaze which severely damaged York Minster 35 years ago have told of the challenges of tackling fires at historic churches and cathedrals like Notre Dame.

Flames engulfed the huge Gothic church in York on July 9 1984 in a blaze prompted by a lightning strike, with hundreds battling to save the building.

Like Notre Dame, the Minster is built from ancient stone and timber, which can present challenges to firefighters.

Those who attended on the night have suggested the roof collapsing, as it did at Notre Dame around 8pm on Monday, can help salvage parts of the building by ventilating smoke and heat.

The South transept was severely damaged by the 1984 blaze
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Alan Stow, 79, divisional commander of the fire and rescue service at York at the time, told The Times: “There was a suggestion that the only way to stop the fire spreading was for the heat and smoke to be ventilated.

“The roof supports were very badly weakened and with a turntable ladder jet carefully positioned it managed to create a domino effect and the roof trusses tumbled down on to the floor. It was a dead easy job once the roof collapsed to put the fire out.”

Unlike in Paris, fire crews in York managed to control the flames within a few hours and the majority of the Minster was saved.

The minster was rebuilt using the traditional materials of medieval builders as part of a £2.25 million restoration project.

More than 140 firemen fought for more than three hours to save the central tower
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Bob Littlewood, 87, who was superintendent of works at the minster, said the Paris fire has “brought back memories” of the York fire, which destroyed the roof of the Minster's South Transept.

He said: “What’s happening in Paris is tragic. It brings many memories back.

“Because all the doors into the loft and roof spaces were locked we were having to run up and down and get keys. We were in danger of losing the cathedral if the fire had spread into the transepts.”

Like Notre Dame, York Minster is also home to a huge rose window.

The South Transept at the height of the 1984 blaze
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The stained glass masterpiece at York stayed in place, despite the fire raging around it, but its 73 panels, containing 7,000 pieces of stained glass had shattered into about 40,000 pieces.

It was initially claimed that the windows at Paris had been totally destroyed, but as the city woke on Tuesday they looked to be largely intact.

Lord Mayor of York Keith Orrell has said he will be writing to the Mayor of Paris on behalf of the City of York.

Aftermath of Notre Dame Cathedral fire - In pictures

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Historians have also noted the similarities between the two fires.

TV history presenter Dan Snow said on Twitter: "It's overwhelming but remember that York Minster and Hampton Court burned in the 80s, Windsor Castle in the 90s and Cutty Sark in the 00s. Dresden's Frauenkirche, the Catherine Palace ... What we build, we can rebuild. Their essence endures."

Prayers for Notre Dame were said at the Compline service at York Minster on Monday night and will continue throughout Tuesday.

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