12:17pm Thursday 9th July 2009
PEOPLE involved in saving York Minster after it was devastated by a huge blaze 25 years ago will gather today for a public service of thanksgiving.
A lightning strike on July 9 1984 caused a fire to sweep through the South Transept, causing horrendous damage.
The fire ripped though part of the cathedral, destroying the roof of the South Transept and severely damaging the famous Rose Window.
It took four years to complete the repairs.
It took around 150 firefighters from across North Yorkshire several hours to bring the blaze under control.
The Minster is considered one of Europe's finest Gothic buildings, with parts of the present cathedral dating from the 13th century.
Everyone involved in saving York Minster on the night, or in its four-year restoration programme, is invited to the cathedral for the public service of thanksgiving on the 25th anniversary of the fire.
Immediately afterwards there will be a bring your own lunch picnic in nearby grounds.
People will have the chance to share reminiscences and have an informal show and tell of photographs, portable memorabilia and their personal stories of the fire.
The Dean of York Minster, the Very Reverend Keith Jones, said: "The anniversary is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank God for the heroism, skill and dedication of all those involved in fighting the fire, dealing with the devastation afterwards and restoring the Minster over the next four years.
"I hope that all those connected with those events and those who were simply moved by them, will be with us on the 9th July to recollect and celebrate together."
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