On Monday 9 July 1984 lightning struck York Minster’s South Transept.

Fire destroyed the roof and caused the Rose Window to crack in approximately 40,000 places. Skilled craftspeople undertook a four-year restoration project, returning the transept to its former glory.

“Members of the public … walked up Stonegate towards the South Transept and the nearer they got to the Minster the more they could hear the hush of absolute horror”

– Elizabeth Ingram, Head Broderer

At the height of the fire the heat could be felt in the gardens next to the city wall. Embers floated through the sky and into Dean’s Park, the breeze taking them away from the medieval buildings of Petergate and Stonegate.

Loving God, we pray for all communities that have been traumatised by violent and unexpected events. Be with them in their shock and disbelief so that they might find strength and support in each other.

Click HERE to find out more about the On This Spot photo trail.

Image reproduced with kind permission of York Explore.