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Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
A major fire broke out at St. James's Palace in London on Jan. 31, destroying the Duke of Cambridge's apartments and parts of the southeast wing. The Duke escaped unharmed; some property was lost, including armor, library, and pictures. The blaze possibly started in Miss Rice's apartments due to her cook's carelessness, who may have perished. Dukes of York, Sussex, and Cambridge assisted in firefighting efforts.
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This morning about half after two, a fire broke out in St. James's palace which raged with great fury. The sentries immediately gave the alarm, and as soon as possible engines arrived from all quarters. At first there was a great difficulty in procuring water, but the pipes were extended to the canal in the park, and it was then obtained in abundance. It was, however, impossible some time to check the rage of the devouring element; and the whole interior of the south east angle, fronting Marlborough House, and extending to the first south entry, including the turret, was entirely destroyed. The walls and chimneys are standing, & exhibit a mere shell. The Duke of Cambridge, whose apartments are destroyed, was in bed at the time when the alarm was given, but happily escaped from all danger. The inhabitants of the palace were seen issuing in all directions, half naked, and very effort was made to save the furniture and effects. The property consumed belonging to the Duke of Cambridge consisted chiefly of curious armour, an elegant library, valuable cabinet of pictures, rarities of which hardly any thing has been saved. The tapestry of the grand drawing-room is damaged. The chandeliers, looking glasses, silver plate, &c. is safe. Part of the royal armory is destroyed.
The fire appears to have broken out in the apartments situated between the armoury and his majesty's private entrance into the palace from St. James's park. Some accounts state it to have originated in the apartments of Miss Rice, one of the queen's dressers, owing to the carelessness of her cook, who is supposed to have perished in the flames.
The alarm being given, before three o'clock a great number of persons assembled to assist in extinguishing the flames. The Dukes of York, Sussex, and Cambridge were particularly active in giving directions for the extinction of the flames, and in encouraging the firemen and others to exertions.
The flames were so vivid, and seen at such a distance, that a person, who arrived from Staines says, that at three o'clock they were seen there, and it was fancied that all London was on fire.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
London
Event Date
Jan. 31
Key Persons
Outcome
one cook supposed to have perished; duke of cambridge's apartments and part of royal armory destroyed, including armor, library, pictures, and rarities; tapestry damaged; some items like chandeliers and silver plate saved.
Event Details
Fire broke out around 2:30 AM in St. James's Palace, starting possibly in Miss Rice's apartments due to her cook's carelessness. It destroyed the interior of the southeast angle, including the turret and Duke of Cambridge's apartments. Water was initially scarce but later abundant from the park canal. Inhabitants escaped half-naked; efforts saved some furniture. Dukes of York, Sussex, and Cambridge directed firefighting. Flames visible from Staines.