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John1956PA

(3,418 posts)
12. A 1984 fire at England's York catherdral "sparked" a similar discussion.
Tue Apr 16, 2019, 03:44 AM
Apr 2019

From https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/07/09/A-fire-believed-to-have-been-sparked-by-lightning/1100458193600/ :


YORK, England -- A fire believed to have been sparked by lightning gutted part of the medieval York cathedral, causing $1.3 million in damage, but firefighters and priests braved flames to save the Gothic church's 13th century masterpieces.

The fire came just days after the controversial Rev. David Jenkins was consecrated as bishop of Durham in the York Minister.

Jenkins triggered an uproar when he publicly questioned Anglican church belief in the virgin birth, miracles performed by Jesus Christ and Christ's resurrection. Rev. John Mole, a vicar who shouted protests during Friday's consecration ceremonies, said he thought the wrath of God may be behind the fire that erupted early Monday in the 13th-century gothic church.

The Archbishop of Cantebury, Robert Runcie, warned that "individuals should be careful in declaring divine intervention."



From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Minster :


On 9 July 1984, a fire considered "likely" to have been caused by a lightning strike destroyed the roof in the south transept, and around £2.5 million was spent on repairs. The fire was photographed from just south of the minster in the early hours. This picture was subsequently published[citation needed] showing the South transept alight with a list of North Yorkshire firefighters attending. The stations attending ranged from Scarborough to Harrogate. Huge amounts of water were needed to provide jets at great height to hit the roof timbers and protect the Rose Window. Most of the water was pumped from the Ouse nearby because the water supplies around the minster were inadequate. Fire crews from the main York fire station in Clifford Street worked hard to protect the Rose Window and stop the fire spreading into the tower and organ. Many crews worked for hours and some were on high levels of the minster at the time when the South transept roof fell in, forming a pile of timber covering the whole of the south transept floor to a height of at least six feet. The restoration work was completed in 1988, and included new roof bosses to designs which had won a competition organised by BBC Television's Blue Peter programme. In 2007 renovation began on the east front, including the Great East Window, at an estimated cost of £23 million.



A picture from another site:



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