Faulty fax machine caused Minster blaze

The machine, which was in the main office in the stoneyard, was regularly kept on overnight but had passed its most recent safety inspection, according to staff.

The fire which ripped through two offices in the stoneyard in Minster Gate, on December 29, saw 30 firefighters battle through the night to bring the flames under control.

It threatened stained glass stored beneath the seat of the blaze, which meant firefighters had to carefully transport 311 panes of the lower half of the Great East Window to the nearby Minster School.

Before the fire the panes were being stored upright in the yard while awaiting restoration work in specially constructed racks, with protective material between each piece of glass.

John Morris, Chapter Steward of the Minster, said: "We have had verbal confirmation from the fire services that the cause of the fire was a faulty fax machine.

"It had been safety checked last year as part of its yearly inspection and no fault had been found."

He added: "We would keep it on overnight, should anyone want to contact us.

"It's just one of those things you don't really use any more but keep because the odd person still sends us faxes."

He also said that the figure for the amount of damage caused will not be known until next week.

The irreplaceable glass is now in the Minster chapel, which will remain closed to the public while the panes are stored there.