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Quite what started the fire in York Minster's South Transept isn't
known for sure.
Many explanations have been put forward from UFOs to divine intervention
following the installation of controversial clergyman the Rt Revt
David Jenkins as Bishop of Durham.
But for those seeking a more rational worldly explanation, it's
believed the cathedral was struck by lightning shortly after midnight.
The 9th of July 1984 had been a balmy summer
day. That night many remember watching spectacular lightning storms
light the sky above York.
Bob Littlewood, Superintendent of works at the time, believes the
lightning earthed through an electrical panel in the roof void,
starting the fire.
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| Lightning
over the Wolds on the night of the fire |
The fire alarm wasn't activated immediately, possibly as a result
of electrical damage to the system, although the fire detection
system was criticised for being inadequate.
By the time Ron Hunter, the on duty Minster Policeman discovered
the fire, York's cathedral was well alight.
Because the exterior of the roof was effectively sealed with lead
and the fire was well established at the only entrance to the roof
void, it was impossible to tackle the fire effectively.
The large quantities of tinder dry oak in the roof burned well,
and hot. A great deal of stonework was seriously damaged, as was
the famous Rose Window. It's known the Rose Window itself reached
temperatures of around 450 degrees centigrade.
The roof finally collapsed at around 4:00am. It was then relatively
easy for the fire fighters to deal with the burning timbers on the
floor.
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