CONFLAGRATION OF WYNYARD HOUSE,

New Zealand Herald and Auckland Gazette, Volume I, Issue 14, 6 October 1841, Page 3

CONFLAGRATION OF WYNYARD HOUSE,

HEAR STOCKTON, The Mansion of the Marquis of Londonderry. Yesterday intelligence was received of a fire which occasioned the total destruction of the magnificent and beautiful mansion, Wynyard House, the seat of the Marquis of Londonderry, about four miles and a half from Stockton upon Tees, in the of Durham. The calamity occurred on Friday night last. It appears that the fire broke out a few minutes before 12 o'clock, at which time the inmates, who consisted of six persons (the Marquis and Marchioness being on a tour in Italy) were in bed and asleep. The first person to give the alarm was one of the gamekeepers, who left the mansion at about a quarter before 10 o'clock, for the purpose bf ascertaining whether the watchers were at their duty in the park and preserves. At the time of his quitting the place, there was no appearance of fire and all seemed in safety. Shortly before the hour abovementioned, he perceived a great light in the conservatory, which adjoins the chapel, and suspecting that the place was on fire, he discharged his fowling-piece to alarm the watchers, and then hastened to the mansion. Immediately after a body of flames burst forth. Happily the inmates all escaped without injury, and some time before the mansion caught. The gamekeepers commenced removing the plate and other valuables from the house, and in about a quarter of an hour assistance arrived. By this time the flames had readied the chapel, and soon afterwards the mansion caught. The intelligence was, without ; delay, fbrwardecl. by express to Stockton, Durham, and neighbouring towns, and numerous engines were despatched to the fire. By the time they had reached the spot, the greater portion of the splendid building was in a blaze, and in one hour after its destruction was complete. The conflagration raged with great violence for hours after, and was seen many miles. There is every reason to believe that the fire originated by the flues in the conservatory being over-heated; at present it is impossible to ascertain the precise fact. This celebrated mansion was distant about four miles and a half north by west from Stockton. It was erected on the site of the old mansion, by the late Sir Harry Vane Tempest (of sporting celebrity), father of the present Marchioness of Londonderry ; and the park, within a few years, has been greatly enlarged. The property of Wynyard has been held by a long succession of distinguished families. The inheritance was conveyed in marriage with Lady Frances (only child of Sir Harry, kad sole neiress), to the Marquis of Londonderry in Ireland, who, i;i 1823, was created Earl Vane, of the United K ngdora of Great Britain,