The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-22 00:00:00

THE FIRE AT WINDSOR CASTLE.

But little remains to be added to the account already
given of the events of Saturday night It was mentioned
yesterday that the smoke when first discovered was bound
to proceed from some bedrooms ever the dining-room.
The flame, it appears first issued from a passage leading to
• room occupied by Mr. Norton, and for tome time after it
increased in volume, and seemed to defy all efforts to master
it. The site of the Castle being inins.derably above the
town, and the burning portion looking away from the
principal streets, it was only from a northern or eastern
direction that any flirnes were visible, and front those
quarters they are said to have been seen for many miles.
Nothing could exceed the efforts wade by the military and
the few civilians present. The parish of Eton claims for
its engine the merit of having been the immediate cause of
extinction, the Windsor parochial engine not having been,
it is said, in working order. Colonel Phipps and Colonel
Grey are said to have been especially active throughout the
night in urging on the military in their efforts, which ulti-
mately included the tearing asunder of flours, rte., in order
to prevent the possibility of further extension. There are
. .

rumours to the effect chit when the work of extinction was
nearly over, a few of the soldiers., who were in all several
hundred strong, availed themselves rather too freely of ,
the hospitality by which their labours were sus-
tained, and that punishment awaits them in consequence.
Should this be the fact, it will probably be taken into ac-
count, in awarding the penalties, that a breach of order is
too common on such occasions, and that the breach of dis-
cipline in this case was committed in encountering en un-
wonted
enemy.
The fire has left but few external traces ; as, indeed, may
well be imagined by those who are familiar, through per-
sonal inspection, with the massive stonework of the whole
edifice. The north-eastern angle, until closely examined,
presents its usual aspect, and any one who bad not heard
of the calamity would scarcely discover that there had been
one. There is hardly any discoloration in front, the out-
line of the battlements is but little defaced, and the long ,
narrow windows alone indicate the recent ravages of fire.
Soon after eleven o'clock yesterday morning the Lord
Chamberlain commenced a minute examination of all the
rooms and passages belonging to, or immediately communi-
cating with, the Prince of \Vales's Tower, where, it will
he remembered, the chief damage has been sustained :
being accompanied by his secretary (Mr. Macdonald), by
the Master of the Household, and by Mr. Braidwood, the
Superintendent of the London Fire Brigade. The inqiury
was prolonged for two or three hours, and everything was
done which was at all likely to elicit the origin of the dis-
aster; but it is believed that little was added to the infor-
mation previously obtained. There is still reason to
suppose, however, that the fire originated in the over-
heating of a flue—a conclusion which will probably be
confirmed when, as had not been done yesterday,
the plaster and masonry have been removed so as to expose
the seat of ignition. The quantity of water poured upon
the burning rooms must have been enormous ; fur during
the whole of yesterday a great deal was still percolating
through the ceiling of the passage immediately below the
Queen's dining-room. The lobbies under this part of the
tower are so intricate and wiudiug that, had the fire ex-
tended, great confusion, if not loss of life, would probably
have resulted from this cause. In asmall court-way connected
with them was seen a great quantity of hose, and within
three or four yards of this a branch pipe, with very
minute instructions as to the proper mode of
proceeding in case of an alarm of flee. Before
leaving this part of the subject, it should be added that
Mr. Turnbull, the clerk of the works, of whose exertions
such honourable mention has been made in the " Court
Circular," was yesterday confined to his room from indis-
position produced by his effort' in superintending the work
of extinction before the arrival of Mr. Braidwood.

It having been stated that her Majesty and the Prince
Consort, on learning that all danger was over, proceeded to
Frogman, Unsay be as well to °users° that this statement
has been contradicted on what is believed to be good authc”.
rity. Indeed, a little reflection would have sufficed to
make anyone incredulous with respect to it. Much as the
calamity is to be ri gretted, the Prince of Wales's lower is
bat an insignificant portion of the entire edifice.
Until yesterday afternoon the firemen of the London
Brigade still remained at the Castle ; they then left for the
metropolis, taking with them the last of the brigade
engines.
As to the extent of damage, all that can be positively
stated yet is that both in print and in general conversation
it has been greatly exaggerated. As already intimated, the
only costly part the ruin is the dining•room, from which
everything portable was safely removed at • very early
period. The adjacent compartments, though gutted, must
be capable of restoration without any vast expense. Probably
20,0001. is a mush better proximate estimate than 80,0001.
or 100,0001., into which the leas has been magnified by
rumour.