CASTLE ON FIRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 August 1934, Page 9

CASTLE ON FIRE

FIREMEN ATTACKED BY BEES. LONDON, July 17. Art Treasures, heirlooms, and valuable furniture were saved when fire broke out yesterday in an attic of Piclon Castle, Pembrokeshire, the home of Sir Henry Philipps. Some family portraits were damaged, however, and the tofu! loss is estimated at about £lO,OOO. The firemen were hampered in their work by an attack from a. swarm o 1 ’ bees, which had made their home in the roof. The blaze was also intensified by some thirty to forty pounds of honey. The original Norman roof and the ancient rafters of the castle were seriously damaged, but. a portion of the flat lead roof was saved. The ancient chapel with its sixteenth century organ. and the organ in the main hah, were only slightly affected. Baron de Rutzen, of Slebech Park, Haverfordwest, organised a corps oi. voluntary helpers, who carried the paintings, china, glass and antique furniture out on to the lawns. Picton Castle, one of the most beautiful buildings in Wales was a fortified residence in the reign of William Rufus, and from tliat time until tlic present day it has been tenanted by owners all of whom can trace theii connection with the Norman ancestor, William do Picton.