Dozens of firefighters have been battling to save a historic Tudor mansion after a blaze destroyed its roof and first floor.
Wythenshawe Hall, a timber-framed former stately home turned museum and art gallery, has been badly damaged in the fire early on Tuesday.
The fire broke out in the roof of the 16th Century building in the Wythenshawe district of south Manchester at just after 3.30am. No one was inside or hurt, but firefighters said they were "doing everything we can" to save the property.
The majority of antiques and items inside the hall are believed to have been removed from the building a few months ago and relocated. However, there is "significant damage" to some items inside, the Manchester Evening News reports.
The fire is believed to have started at the front of the roof of the Tudor building, which is set in 250 acres now known as Wythenshawe Park.
Wythenshawe Hall fire: Manchester Tudor stately home's roof destroyed
Timber-framed 16th century stately home turned museum and art gallery badly damaged in blaze, amid fears antiques might have been destroyed
A fire started in the roof of the 16th Century timber-framed building early on Tuesday Photo: Twitter/Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service/@air_unit
By Danny Boyle
15 Mar 2016
The Telegraph
Dozens of firefighters have been battling to save a historic Tudor mansion after a blaze destroyed its roof and first floor.
Wythenshawe Hall, a timber-framed former stately home turned museum and art gallery, has been badly damaged in the fire early on Tuesday.
The fire broke out in the roof of the 16th Century building in the Wythenshawe district of south Manchester at just after 3.30am. No one was inside or hurt, but firefighters said they were "doing everything we can" to save the property.
Emergency service vehicles gather after an overnight fire caused extensive damage to the roof and first floor of the 16th century Tudor Hall of Wythenshawe Hall in Manchester. Photo: REUTERS/Phil Noble
The majority of antiques and items inside the hall are believed to have been removed from the building a few months ago and relocated. However, there is "significant damage" to some items inside, the Manchester Evening News reports.
The fire is believed to have started at the front of the roof of the Tudor building, which is set in 250 acres now known as Wythenshawe Park.
Fire crews outside Wythenshawe Hall, Manchester Photo: Twitter/Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
More than 50 firefighters and 10 engines battled to bring the blaze under control and managed to contain the flames, which at one point were coming out of the roof around the clock tower.
Aerial pictures taken by a fire service helicopter showed the extent of damage to the historic building, which was the home of the Tatton family for almost 400 years after being built in around 1540.
Aerial pictures showed the tudor mansion alight Photo: Twitter/Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service/@air_unit
How the building looked before the blaze
It was donated to local people in 1930 and has been a museum and art gallery in recent years.
Warren Pickstone, from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We are doing everything we can to save as much of this building as we can.
"The fire is in the roof and is difficult to access, but we have specialist resources at the scene and we are working extremely hard.
Emergency service vehicles gather after an overnight fire caused extensive damage to the roof and first floor of the 16th century Tudor Hall of Wythenshawe Hall, Manchester. Photo: REUTERS/Phil Noble
"The fire is in the main black and white traditionally clad Tudor building with the historic clock tower, which was also on fire.
"So far we believe we have lost the roof and the first floor."
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The first shots of firefighters at the scene of @WythenshaweHall
6:33 AM - 15 Mar 2016
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An investigation by police and fire crews is under way into the cause of the blaze, but there is not yet believed to be any indication of how it started.
Lucy Powell, the Manchester Central MP, said she was "really sorry" to hear about the fire and praised crews for their work:
And the Friends of Wythenshawe Hall, a group dedicated to looking after the hall and keeping it open to the public, also thanked Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, saying: “Thank you for getting to the hall so quickly."
Rosa Battle, Manchester City Council's executive member for culture and leisure, also praised the firefighters and said: "This is an upsetting incident involving a much-loved historic building at the heart of its community.
"We are currently still taking stock of the damage but will all need to rally together in an effort to restore the hall."
Wythenshawe Hall is around six miles from Manchester city centre
At around 8.30am, the number of fire engines at the scene was reduced to five, with firefighters now damping down the fire.
Mr Pickstone added: "We're currently damping down and investigating the cause of this fire with Greater Manchester Police.
"This blaze has caused devastating damage to a historic building, but the quick actions of our crew have saved the majority of the structure.
"The fire was well developed when they arrived and firefighters did a fantastic job to stop it spreading through the timbers and voids in the property.
"We will work closely with Manchester City Council and The Friends of Wythenshawe Hall to help them recover from this terrible fire."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wythenshawe_Hall
Wythenshawe Hall fire: Manchester Tudor stately home's roof destroyed - Telegraph
Wythenshawe Hall, a timber-framed former stately home turned museum and art gallery, has been badly damaged in the fire early on Tuesday.
The fire broke out in the roof of the 16th Century building in the Wythenshawe district of south Manchester at just after 3.30am. No one was inside or hurt, but firefighters said they were "doing everything we can" to save the property.
The majority of antiques and items inside the hall are believed to have been removed from the building a few months ago and relocated. However, there is "significant damage" to some items inside, the Manchester Evening News reports.
The fire is believed to have started at the front of the roof of the Tudor building, which is set in 250 acres now known as Wythenshawe Park.
Wythenshawe Hall fire: Manchester Tudor stately home's roof destroyed
Timber-framed 16th century stately home turned museum and art gallery badly damaged in blaze, amid fears antiques might have been destroyed
A fire started in the roof of the 16th Century timber-framed building early on Tuesday Photo: Twitter/Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service/@air_unit
By Danny Boyle
15 Mar 2016
The Telegraph
Dozens of firefighters have been battling to save a historic Tudor mansion after a blaze destroyed its roof and first floor.
Wythenshawe Hall, a timber-framed former stately home turned museum and art gallery, has been badly damaged in the fire early on Tuesday.
The fire broke out in the roof of the 16th Century building in the Wythenshawe district of south Manchester at just after 3.30am. No one was inside or hurt, but firefighters said they were "doing everything we can" to save the property.
Emergency service vehicles gather after an overnight fire caused extensive damage to the roof and first floor of the 16th century Tudor Hall of Wythenshawe Hall in Manchester. Photo: REUTERS/Phil Noble
The majority of antiques and items inside the hall are believed to have been removed from the building a few months ago and relocated. However, there is "significant damage" to some items inside, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Fire crews outside Wythenshawe Hall, Manchester Photo: Twitter/Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
More than 50 firefighters and 10 engines battled to bring the blaze under control and managed to contain the flames, which at one point were coming out of the roof around the clock tower.
Aerial pictures taken by a fire service helicopter showed the extent of damage to the historic building, which was the home of the Tatton family for almost 400 years after being built in around 1540.
Aerial pictures showed the tudor mansion alight Photo: Twitter/Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service/@air_unit
How the building looked before the blaze
It was donated to local people in 1930 and has been a museum and art gallery in recent years.
Warren Pickstone, from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We are doing everything we can to save as much of this building as we can.
"The fire is in the roof and is difficult to access, but we have specialist resources at the scene and we are working extremely hard.
Emergency service vehicles gather after an overnight fire caused extensive damage to the roof and first floor of the 16th century Tudor Hall of Wythenshawe Hall, Manchester. Photo: REUTERS/Phil Noble
"The fire is in the main black and white traditionally clad Tudor building with the historic clock tower, which was also on fire.
"So far we believe we have lost the roof and the first floor."
Follow
Manchester Fire ✔@manchesterfire
The first shots of firefighters at the scene of @WythenshaweHall
6:33 AM - 15 Mar 2016
74 23
An investigation by police and fire crews is under way into the cause of the blaze, but there is not yet believed to be any indication of how it started.
Lucy Powell, the Manchester Central MP, said she was "really sorry" to hear about the fire and praised crews for their work:
And the Friends of Wythenshawe Hall, a group dedicated to looking after the hall and keeping it open to the public, also thanked Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, saying: “Thank you for getting to the hall so quickly."
Rosa Battle, Manchester City Council's executive member for culture and leisure, also praised the firefighters and said: "This is an upsetting incident involving a much-loved historic building at the heart of its community.
"We are currently still taking stock of the damage but will all need to rally together in an effort to restore the hall."
Wythenshawe Hall is around six miles from Manchester city centre
At around 8.30am, the number of fire engines at the scene was reduced to five, with firefighters now damping down the fire.
Mr Pickstone added: "We're currently damping down and investigating the cause of this fire with Greater Manchester Police.
"This blaze has caused devastating damage to a historic building, but the quick actions of our crew have saved the majority of the structure.
"The fire was well developed when they arrived and firefighters did a fantastic job to stop it spreading through the timbers and voids in the property.
"We will work closely with Manchester City Council and The Friends of Wythenshawe Hall to help them recover from this terrible fire."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wythenshawe_Hall
Wythenshawe Hall fire: Manchester Tudor stately home's roof destroyed - Telegraph