6 JANUARY 1967, Page 11

E be %pectator

January 5, 1867

The north transept of the Crystal Palace has been burnt down. The fire broke out about two o'clock on Sunday, apparently from an explosion of gas, there was no one who knew how to turn on the great mains, the fire brigade was late, a summons having taken two hours to reach them, and by four o'clock the tropical compartment had been destroyed, the Alhambra, Assyrian, Byzantine and Indian Courts irrepar- ably injured, and the Queen's apartment and library consumed.