Clandon Park fire: salvage operation begins on Surrey mansion

Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a blaze which ripped through the historic Clandon Park House overnight, as the salvage operation gets underway.

"The full extent of the damage is not known but work is ongoing to salvage what can be salvaged from inside," said Surrey fire service.

The blaze began in the basement yesterday afternoon, before spreading through the building and the roof. Nearby residents reported that flames were "shooting out of the building" and that loud bangs could be heard from within, says the Daily Telegraph.

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All staff and volunteers were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported, but it took a team of 80 firefighters the whole night to bring the flames under control.

Priceless items, including furniture, porcelain and textiles from the 18th century have been destroyed, and at least one of the wings has been completely "gutted" reports the BBC.

"The most important thing for me is that no one has been hurt in this awful fire and that everyone is safe," said Helen Ghosh, director of the National Trust, which manages the 18th-century building.

She said the fire came as a "terrible shock and a devastating personal blow" to staff and volunteers. "It has been heart-breaking to witness the terrible damage to this wonderful mansion, which means so much, to so many people."

The Grade I listed mansion, a popular venue for weddings, was built in the 1720s and has been managed by the National Trust since 1856.