Cathedral marks 25 years since 'catastrophic' fire

A cathedral is holding an event to mark 25 years since a "catastrophic" fire threatened to destroy it.

The fire broke out in a stack of plastic chairs in Peterborough Cathedral on 22 November 2001, resulting in extensive smoke damage to stonework and the windows.

The cathedral said at the time it was "only thanks to the prompt actions of the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service" that the building was saved.

The event to mark the journey of "restoration and recovery" will take place on 23 November.

The deliberate fire started near the choir stalls in the 12th Century building and the arsonist was never caught.

The clean-up cost was estimated at £1.25m, much of which came from the cathedral's supporters.

To mark 25 years since the fire, the event later this month will include "a series of talks, personal reflections and discussion", the cathedral said.

It will "explore the night of the fire, the remarkable restoration and recovery that followed, and the lasting impact it has had on the cathedral and its community".

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