Blenheim Palace staff accidentally set roof on fire

Whilst attempting to thaw frozen pipes during December’s wintry weather, staff at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire accidentally set its roof on fire. The 18th century World Heritage site – believed to be the birthplace of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill – had to be saved from destruction by firefighters.

The blaze on the roof of the Woodstock building broke out at about 1.30pm on Wednesday 22nd December. It was believed to have been caused by well-intentioned palace staff – who had possibly not had the best fire safety training – using gas-powered flame heaters to thaw the frozen pipes, subsequently setting fire to a bird’s nest.

Fire crews from fire stations in Oxford, Woodstock and Kidlington were immediately summoned to the scene, arriving within minutes despite the wintry, snowy weather conditions. A total of 40 firefighters tackled the blaze, using specialist equipment to put the fire out quickly and ensure that the historic building sustained only minimal damage.

Speaking after the incident, a spokesperson for the fire service, Kerry Blair, said:

“We were able to keep it under control and it did not take long for us to deal with the fire because of our quick response and the fact we worked well with the palace.”