Crystal Palace Destroyed

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1936, Page 7

Crystal Palace Destroyed

Spectacular London Fire

Television Apparatus

Burned!

f United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright.'] (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, November 30. outstanding landmark in Soutli East London, visible from eight counties, namely, the Crystal Palace, which was famous as a naval training school in wartime, spectacularly sank into insignificance when destroyed by fire which, starting in the centre transept, quickly spread, owing to the inflammable nature of the flooring, to the entire structure.

Flames leapt to a height of 500 feet and sparks flew for two miles. The crash of woodwork and glass was audible still further away. Thousands of sight-seers congested the adjacent roads thronged the embankment and clustered on the terraces of the House of Commons.

Roof Crash Heard Miles Away.

The crash of the roof of the famous transept, the scene of innumerable concerts and exhibitions, could be heard a mile distant.

The palace orchestra was rehearsing in a lobby when the alarm was given and the members narrowly escaped with their lives.

The blaze attained its maximum height at 9 p.m. hurling a pillar of sparks skywards, and illuminating the arrival of late fire engines, which represented South London’s quota of 50 machines from all parts of the metropolis. The television tower succumbed to the flames after one of many explosions which destroyed the great organ.

'lt is impossible to estimate the value of the television apparatus destroyed, but it is certainly thousands of pounds.

Better Than Fireworks.

The entire main entrance collapsed at 9 p.m. hurling up showers of sparks and eclipsing firework displays so often staged at Crystal Palace. Fout aeroplanes were despatched for Press photographic purposes and flew over the conflagration, the brilliance of which rendered every letter on the planes easily readable.

Quite apart from the intrinsic loss of the fire, it is disastrous, because it was among the buildings which would have taken the overflow during the Coronation celebrations. The palace was fully insured.

Cost £1,500,000 To Build. Crystal Palace cost £1,500,000 to build, and £300,000 was spent on improvements to the south tower. The north tower survived the fire, despite destruction of nearby buildings. These towers, which were 500 ft. high, were erected for the purpose of playing jets from tanks on the top to two great fountains.

It is estimated that 3,000,000 Londoners were spectators of the fire.. The 350 firemen, with 65 appliances and six water towers, after several were injured, secured control of the blaze at 10.30.

Police cars, meanwhile, careered everywhere using loudspeakers for Sir Henry Buckland, manager of the palace, whom a reporter found and interviewed. He said: “I am heartbroken. My Crystal Palace is finished. There will never be another.”

His daughter, Crystal, named after the Palace, patted him on the shoulder and exclaimed: “Cheer up, daddy, it will be all right.”