PRINCESS MARY

Evening Star, Issue 19710, 10 November 1927, Page 6

PRINCESS MARY

INVOLVED IN MANSION FIRE AN EXCITING ESCAPE OUTBREAK STARTS IN NURSERY CHILDREN SAFELY REMOVED. Press Association—By Telegraph— Copyright LONDON, November !). (Received November 10, at 12.20 p.ra.) Princess Mary and Viscount Lascellcs were among tho dozens of guests at a Yorkshire house party who had to escape in their night attire when the alarm of fire was given at 5 in tiic morning. The scene of the outbreak was Bretton Park, a timbered, Old World mansion standing in 1,000 acres near Wakefield, the property of Lord Allendale. One of the guests in a room adjoining tho nursery wing, where the fire originated, heard the flames and roused Lord and Lady Allendale/ and Princess Mary and Viscount Lasccllcs. Lady Allendale ran into tho smokefilled nursery and assisted the escape of three sleeping children. Princess Mary assisted Viscount Lnscellos to save some art treasures. The guests, in various stages of attire, left tho house. Later on tho local brigade saved tbc mansion from destruction. Tho floor- of tho nursery fell through to the library. The damage is estimated at thousands of pounds. Telegrams wero immediately despatched to their Majesties informing them of tho Princess’s safety.

PRINCESS’S PRESENCE OF MIND INSTRUMENTAL IN SAVING GUESTS’ LIVES (British Official News.) Press Association—By Wireless-Copyright. RUGBY, November 9. (Received November 10, at noon.) Princess Mary and her husband, Viscount Lasccllcs, had an exciting escape early to-day from an outbreak of fire at Bretton Hall, near Barnsley, the residence of Lord Allendale. They had to rush from their bedrooms wearing only their nightclothes. The firo was found to have started in the night nursery, where the three children of Lord and Lady Allendale and the nurse were sleeping. Lady Allendale herself, dashing past the blazing day nursery, was in time to arouse the children and the nurse, who were taken to safety. Princess Mary's two children were also in the lionsc, hut nob apparently in the danger zone. The Princess was instrumental in saving other persons from serious injury, if not death. Her Royal Highness, with the other guests who had had to leave their bedrooms. bad taken temporary refuge in the library. She expressed the opinion that the coiling of the library, which was below the day nursery, threatened to fall in, and suggested that all should leave the room, and told the servants, who were using fire extinguishers, to come away. Lord Allendale and his guests set to work to fight the flames pending the arrival of the fire brigade.

Tho fire was eventually localised to the day nursery and the library, but much damage was done by fire, smoke, and water to valuable hooks, pictures, and furniture.

Telegrams were sent to the King and Queen informing their Majesties of their daughter’s safety.