Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Britain to restore damaged castle Date: Sun, 22 Nov 92 17:26:45 EST Message-ID: \SE A;WORLD \SS (WS) \HD Britain to restore damaged castle \BY ASSOCIATED PRESS \DT WINDSOR, England WINDSOR, England (AP) - Queen Elizabeth II inspected the smoldering ruins at Windsor Castle yesterday, and the government pledged to restore her home to its original splendor. But some lawmakers said the nation had more urgent priorities. Friday's fire, which took more than nine hours to contain, severely damaged several historic rooms in the northwest corner of the castle, originally built as a fortress in the 11th century. But it appeared that the damage to one of the world's richest private art collections might not be too extensive. Many items were removed from the castle by a human chain of staff and soldiers. Prince Andrew, the queen's second son, helped, too. He was at the castle when the fire broke out before noon Friday. Heritage Secretary Peter Brooke said the cause of the fire was under investigation. He said he could give no estimate of the cost of restoration. Dickie Arbiter, the spokesman for Buckingham Palace, told reporters that four or six pictures were thought to be damaged, "but it is far too early to say which paintings and to give a definite number." The castle contains works by Canaletto, da Vinci, Holbein, Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck, as well as tapestries, books, and collections of furniture and porcelain. The queen, wearing a beige hooded raincoat against the drizzle, was on the scene early yesterday with her youngest son, Prince Edward. She was escorted through the state entrance to inspect the ruins of St. George's Hall, the ornate chamber that has been the site of numerous banquets for visiting heads of state. Prince Andrew said the queen was "absolutely devastated" by the damage. Her main home is Buckingham Palace in London, but she spends most weekends at Windsor Castle, which sits on a hill 20 miles to the west overlooking the river Thames. William the Conqueror began building Windsor Castle about 1070. It has been expanded and altered since. A major tourist attraction, it drew 630,000 visitors last year. The fire brigade said the Brunswick Tower, the private chapel, the Crimson Drawing Room, the Chester Tower and the Star Chamber were badly damaged. "It would appear that the main structure of the building has held up very well," said David Harper, Berkshire deputy chief fire officer. "But internally the timber floors have collapsed, and it is making fire fighting operations extremely dangerous." The fire continued to smolder yesterday, although the main part of the blaze was out by afternoon, fire official Charles Humphries said. Heritage Secretary Brooke said the government would repair the damage and called the fire "a national disaster." "The heart of the nation went out to the queen last night," Mr. Brooke said after seeing the burned rooms. Some dissagreed, however. "There's lots of crumbling schools throughout the country, and for the richest and the untaxed leader of the nation to expect the taxpayer to foot the bill is I think completely unjust," said Parliament member Bob Cryer. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM