3-046-935 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The fire at Canterbury Cathedral, 1872. Fire '...caused by the upsetting of a pot of burning charcoal used by the plumbers employed to solder the leaden covering of the roof. The molten lead poured through to the woodwork below, and the roof in that part was soon on fire...The organ-blower had the presence of mind to go to the tower and ring the great bell...Smoke and flames were soon seen issuing in volumes from that part of the east end of the roof...the hose belonging to the Phoenix and Kent Fire Offices and to the City Volunteer Fire Brigade was of sufficient length to be affixed to the hydrants in the adjoining streets, and thence carried through the Cathedral-yard to the burning building...burning timbers...had fallen in...and sparks and molten lead were dropping through into the Trinity Chapel and Beckett's shrine...Archdeacon Harrison...determined, shortly after the fire had been extinguished, not to abandon the afternoon service, which has been held daily without interruption during the past 300 years...Archdeacon Harrison, who read the prayers, prefaced them by invoking the assembly to offer up thanks to God for his mercy in having saved the beautiful building from destruction... The damage is variously estimated at from £3000 to £5000'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.