CRYSTAL PALACE FIRE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 300, 3 December 1936, Page 5

CRYSTAL PALACE FIRE

" Only Smouldering Remains Now Left * * . ’’J Press Association—Copyright. London, Dec* jl. Two towers and a strip of ’building on the north side are all that remains lof the Crystal Palace’ after the fire. The damage is estimated ito exceed .£2,000,000. . .. ■ ‘ '

The ruins are still . smouldering, with intermittent bursts of flames. One hundred firemen are still hosing. It is stated 'that the towers are out of danger and the inhabitants of nearby houses, who were last ordered to leave their homes, havereturned. It is thought it will be' necessary to pull down the towers. A cat that was rescued frantically tried to reach its kittens and finally a fireman snatched it from the flames by the tail. The kittens perished. The fire brigade reports that ihe fire started at 8 p.m. and was onter-i come at 11.45 p.m. Four firemen were slightly injured. “The insurance is nothing like the value of the building,” said Sir HenryBuckland, the manager. . “It would cost between £4,000,000 and £5,000,000 to build another palace. The site, which is held in perpetuity by the "nation, will, of course, be utilised.” His theory is that the fire originated from a gas explosion. A new r hose lorry for ithe London fire brigade, which can reel put one and a-half miles of hose at 15 miles an hour, was demonstrated on the afternoon before the fire and a few hours later was in service for the first time at 'the fire, say's a British •wireless message.