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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Service to mark York Minster fire | Service to mark York Minster fire |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| People involved in saving York Minster after it was devastated by a huge blaze 25 years ago have been gathering for a public service of thanksgiving. | |
| On 9 July, 1984, fire swept through the south transept, destroying part of the roof and damaging the famous 16th Century Rose Window. | On 9 July, 1984, fire swept through the south transept, destroying part of the roof and damaging the famous 16th Century Rose Window. |
| More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, which started in the early hours after a probable lightning strike. | More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, which started in the early hours after a probable lightning strike. |
| Restoration work took a total of four years and cost around £2.25m. | Restoration work took a total of four years and cost around £2.25m. |
| Peter Wright was the officer in charge on Red Watch at York Fire Station on the night of the blaze. | Peter Wright was the officer in charge on Red Watch at York Fire Station on the night of the blaze. |
| He said: "We knew if we didn't put it out the whole world would know about it and if it actually burnt down completely, then I'm afraid we may have had to emigrate, all of us." | He said: "We knew if we didn't put it out the whole world would know about it and if it actually burnt down completely, then I'm afraid we may have had to emigrate, all of us." |
| Personal memories | Personal memories |
| The Minster is considered one of Europe's finest Gothic buildings, with parts of the present cathedral dating back to the 13th Century. | The Minster is considered one of Europe's finest Gothic buildings, with parts of the present cathedral dating back to the 13th Century. |
| The restoration of the Rose Window was carried out by the York Glaziers' Trust and became one of the most challenging tasks in stained glass ever undertaken. | The restoration of the Rose Window was carried out by the York Glaziers' Trust and became one of the most challenging tasks in stained glass ever undertaken. |
| The window had cracked in the intense heat but thanks to lead work 12 years before the fire, the glass stayed in its frame. | The window had cracked in the intense heat but thanks to lead work 12 years before the fire, the glass stayed in its frame. |
| The roof was repaired using the traditional structure and materials of medieval buildings. | The roof was repaired using the traditional structure and materials of medieval buildings. |
| Everyone involved in saving York Minster on the night, or in its four-year restoration programme, had been invited to the public service. | |
| The Dean of York Minster, the Very Reverend Keith Jones, said: "The anniversary is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank God for the heroism, skill and dedication of all those involved in fighting the fire, dealing with the devastation afterwards and restoring the Minster over the next four years. | The Dean of York Minster, the Very Reverend Keith Jones, said: "The anniversary is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank God for the heroism, skill and dedication of all those involved in fighting the fire, dealing with the devastation afterwards and restoring the Minster over the next four years. |
| "I hope that all those connected with those events and those who were simply moved by them, will be with us on 9 July to recollect and celebrate together." | "I hope that all those connected with those events and those who were simply moved by them, will be with us on 9 July to recollect and celebrate together." |