CRYSTAL PALACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 286, 2 December 1936, Page 7

CRYSTAL PALACE.

SMOULDERING RUINS.

Estimated Damage Exceeds £2,000,000. TWO TOWERS STILL STAND. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 1. Two towers and a strip of building on the north side are all that remain of the Crystal Palace. The ruins are still smouldering with intermittent bursts of flame. A hundred firemen are still playing water on the ruins. It is stated that the towers are out of danger. The inhabitants of nearby houses who last night were ordered to leave their homes have returned. Some think that it will be necessary to pull down the towers. The estimated damage exceeds £2,000,000. A rescued cat frantically tried to reach its kittens left in danger of being burned and finally a fireman snatched it from the flames by the tail. The kittens perished. The brigade reports that the fire started at 8 p.m. and was overcome at 11.45. Four firemen were slightly injured. Sir Henry Buckland, manager of the Palace, states that the insurance is nothing like the value of the building. It would cost between £4,000,000 and £5,000,000 to build another Palace. The site is held in perpetuity by the nation, and, of course, will be utilised. His theory is that the fire originated from a gas explosion.

The heat at one time was so great that firemen sprayed each other to prevent their tunics from being scorched. Some in more advanced positions turned their backs to the fire and played the hoses over their shoulders.

The Duke of Kent watched the firemen from various points until 2.30 a.m., often wading through water five inches deep. Finally he was supplied with a pair of firemen's gum boots and a helmet. He drank some coffee at the firemen's coffee stall before departing.