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JUST BEFORE THE ROOF FELL IN: within about half an hour of the alrm being given the bulding was alight from end to end and the central portion, as depicted here, was reduced to a fiery shell. Eventually it cracked and fell to pieces, the girders coming crashing to the ground like gigantic charred matchsticks.
TRAGIC AFTERMATH: Some of the debris in the Egyptian Hall [looks like the Greek Court to me] where it is believed the fire started, possibly, says Sir Henry Buckland, as aresult of a big gas explosion. On Thursday of last week Queen Mary paid a visit of inspection to the ruins.
Last edited by tulse hill terry on 18 Aug 2010 15:43, edited 1 time in total.
THE TOTTERING SKELETON OF THE cONCERT HALL which, being at the north end, farthest from the scene of the outbreak, just managed to remain upright while the rest of the building came crashing to the ground. One commentary on the disaster has come from Mr. allen Brock, of the famous firm of firrework manufacturers: "It seems ironical that the place should have been destroyed in this way." he says, "when it is realised that firework displays have been given at the Palace since 1865 and no damage has ever been caused by them. The reason why the flames spread so rapidly was due to the peculiar construction of the building. there is a considerable amount of air space and woodwork, and once the fire had got a hold it must have been fanned through the whole place at a tremendous rate."
Charred remains in the Egyptian Hall [Court]
A MELANCHOLY SCENE; Plaster effigies in formless confusion among the debris. There was so much woodwork and furniture in the place, that the flames had no lack of material on which to feast.
AS AN ARTIST SAW IT: A drawing by mary Ashead that brings to mind the great firework displays which were for so many years a regular feature of the entertainment at Sydenham. The association of the famous firm of Brock with the Palace began in 1865, and continued right up to the present day.
THE RESTRAUNT; another drawing by Miss Ashead witha Victorian flavour appropriate to the subject. This was always a popular rendezvous, and the semi-tame birds that went from table to table picking up scraps were a great attraction, particularly among the children.
One of the avaries from which most of the birds managed to make their escape during the fire
