The Windsor Castle fire in 1992 was a devastating event that caused extensive damage to the historic royal residence. The blaze destroyed 115 rooms, including nine official staterooms, and took 15 hours to contain. The restoration project, which cost £36.5 million, took five years to complete.
Cause of the Fire
The fire started in Queen Victoria’s Private Chapel when a 1,000-watt spotlight being used by renovators overheated and ignited a curtain pressed up against it. The fire began around 11:15 a.m. on November 20, 1992, and was finally extinguished at 2:30 a.m. the next day.
Rooms Destroyed
The blaze destroyed a significant portion of the castle, including:
| Room | Damage |
|---|---|
| St. George’s Hall | Collapsed completely |
| Crimson Drawing Room | Destroyed |
| Queen’s Private Chapel | Destroyed |
| 115 other rooms | Destroyed |
In total, nine official staterooms were destroyed in the fire.
Damage and Restoration
The fire caused significant structural damage, including the collapse of several ceilings and the destruction of the Crimson Drawing Room and the Queen’s Private Chapel. The restoration project, led by conservation architects Donald Insall Associates, took five years to complete at a cost of £36.5 million.
Response and Salvage Efforts
Prince Andrew, who was present at the castle, helped form a human chain to rescue precious furniture, artworks, and antiquities. The Queen herself joined the effort, helping to remove items from the castle. Despite the challenges, many valuable items were saved, including 300 clocks, a collection of miniatures, and thousands of valuable books and historic manuscripts.
Impact and Reaction
The fire was a significant blow to the royal family, particularly Queen Elizabeth II, who described 1992 as an “annus horribilis” (horrible year) due to the fire and the breakdown of her children’s marriages. The event led to Buckingham Palace being opened to the public for the first time to help pay for the restoration of Windsor Castle.
The Windsor Castle fire was a devastating event that caused extensive damage to the historic royal residence. The restoration project was a massive undertaking, costing £36.5 million and taking five years to complete. The fire was a significant blow to the royal family and led to Buckingham Palace being opened to the public for the first time to help pay for the restoration.
References:
– https://people.com/royals/windsor-castle-fire-1992-everything-to-know/
– https://thehistorypress.co.uk/article/the-windsor-castle-fire-25-facts/
– https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a41725447/windsor-castle-fire-1992-history/
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Windsor_Castle_fire
– https://www.today.com/popculture/royals/windsor-castle-fire-1992-true-story-rcna54878