Ravaged by flames

The spectacular blaze at Uppark high on the Downs behind Chichester could be seen for many miles. It was probably the most serious fire ever at a property owned by the National Trust.

And it landed the Trust with a big dilemma. Should it faithfully restore the historic house or should it build something completely different in its place?

The Trust took the traditional route and restored Uppark so effectively that it is hard for the casual visitor to spot the differences.

But there are still some visitors who feel the modern Uppark does not have the atmosphere of the old home.

Uppark was a model of excellence and elegance from the 18th century. It was built for the Earl of Tankerville who was a devious nobleman.

It passed to Matthew Fetherstonhaugh who proceeded to make many improvements to the building during a long and happy tenure.

His son Harry, friend of the Prince Regent, entertained there in style. Then in a shock to society he married a dairymaid when over 70.

The dairymaid, half a century younger, stayed there after his death with her sister and did not change anything. The sister lived until 1895 but the house remained in the same family.

On August Bank Holiday Monday in 1989, the fire started when many people had visited Uppark. The fire alarm sounded in the late afternoon and the guests were ushered out even though there was at that time no sign of smoke.

Builders who had been working on roof repairs did see the blaze and tried to put it out with extinguishers. But it proved too strong for them.

It quickly took hold even though the fire brigade arrived swiftly. At the height of the blaze 150 firefighters with 27 vehicles tackled it.

Stewards from the Trust began to move out valuables from the first floor while the resident family did the same on the floor below.

But sadly some historic items of furniture which had not been disturbed for a couple of centuries were lost to the rapacious flames.

The firefighters had to move away from the roof as conditions became dangerous but continued to tackle the flames from a hydraulic platform.

By this time they were also running out of water, a precious commodity in an isolated mansion on the Downs.

It took more than 12 hours to overcome the fire and by this time the damage was immense. All the ceilings were destroyed and the roof had gone too. Uppark was little more than a shell.

But the house was reopened only five years later and since has been more popular than it ever was before.

The cause was probably blow torches which had been used to repair lead on the roof, but no one knows for certain.

Luckily no one was killed or injured but loss of furniture and paintings was enormous.