Historic stained glass window saved after stoneyard fire (From The Northern Echo)

Historic stained glass window saved after stoneyard fire

6:31pm Thursday 31st December 2009

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FIRE crews have saved the world's largest medieval window from destruction after a huge fire broke out at the yard where it was being refurbished.

The Great East Window from York Minster, thought to be worth more than £27m, was undergoing repairs at the Minster Yard stonemasons, in Minstergate, when fire broke out shortly before 11.30pm on Wednesday.

Seven fire crews were called to the scene and spent four hours tackling the blaze and moving the 300 panels that make up the 600-year old-window to safety.

Although the fire was contained to an upstairs office and a store room, the window was removed because of the risk of water damage.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public who was walking by the yard and spotted smoke and flames.

The Great East Window was completed in 1408 and contains the largest area of medieval stained glass in a single window, covering 194 square metres, roughly the size of a tennis court.

The window was removed from its position at the east end of the Minster in 2008, with its restoration expected to take ten years to complete.

The window panels have been moved into temporary storage at nearby stonemason's workshops and to a school hall while experts try to find somewhere more permanent for them.

The Dean of York, the Very Revd Keith Jones, said: "Our first concern, after being ensured that no people were in danger, was for the precious things in store there.

"Thanks to the prompt actions of our staff who worked with the fire brigade, they are safe.

"In a few days we shall know more about the cause and the consequences of the incident."

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