Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service remembers Windsor Castle fire 30 years on

This year marks 30 years since the great fire of Windsor Castle.

This Sunday marks the 30th anniversary of when a deadly blaze consumed the world's largest occupied castle on the morning of Friday, November 20, 1992.

Hundreds of firefighters from six counties, including Berkshire and Hampshire, were deployed to tackle the blaze at the royal residence.

Firefighters fought tirelessly for nine hours to bring the main fire under control, but teams continued working for another three hours before the flames were finally extinguished.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue staff had the honour of meeting Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, who was in residence at the time of the fire.

Station manager at Newbury Fire Station, Phil Knight, recalls attending the fire in his early career: "It's one of those jobs that stands out.

"I remember we all went up the tower at Windsor Fire Station and you could see the plumes of smoke coming from the castle. The streets of Windsor were lined with people and I was quite amazed at the way they were clapping. That was quite nice I felt, the public cheering us on."

Group manager for West Hub, Paul Thomas, was recently awarded his 30-year Long Service Good Conduct medal. But it was just six weeks into his career when he was called to the Windsor Castle Fire from Dee Road Fire Station, Tilehurst.

"I always remember getting taken up on the hydraulic platform, over the top of the building," he said.

"It was just completely glowing red inside and the Brunswick Tower was just like a huge candle. It was highlighted over the night sky and I'll never forget that.

"It's fantastic to see it all rebuilt because, at the time, you'd imagine 'how is anyone going to get this back to its original state from the amount of damage that was caused'. It's incredible how they've put it back together. It looks exactly the same as it did."

Chief fire officer Wayne Bowcock said: "It is difficult to believe 30 years have passed since this monumental incident, which is undoubtedly one of the most significant that Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has dealt with.

"I was a trainee firefighter on my initial training course at the time and I remember it well. We watched the news together in awe, saying how sad it was for Windsor Castle and the royal family and how we would go about tackling such a large incident in an iconic heritage building.

"It is testimony to the skill of the firefighters in attendance that the incident was managed safely and there were no serious injuries to staff at the castle or within the fire and rescue services."

Lee Arslett was a communications technician called to support the incident late that afternoon. He said: "One of the biggest challenges was maintaining effective communications. My focus was on what my role would be and how I would find my way around such a large site."

Ultimately, 36 pumping appliances, seven specialist units, 25 officers and more than 200 firefighters were deployed. The blaze destroyed 115 rooms, including nine State Rooms.

The world famous incident has recently been dramatised in the fifth season of The Crown, featuring in its fourth episode, 'Annus Horribilis'.

The 30-year anniversary is particularly poignant as it falls close to the death of Her Late Majesty and her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.