This is Witness History on the BBC World Service. Today we go back to 1992 and a devastating

fire at Windsor Castle, which was Queen Elizabeth II's weekend home and one of the grandest

buildings in the United Kingdom. This programme, first broadcast in 2012, is presented by Simon

Watts.

It's the 20th of November 1992, just before lunchtime a huge fire breaks out at Windsor

Castle near London.

Billowing from Windsor Castle shortly after half past 11 this morning could be seen from

more than a mile away. The largest inhabited castle in the world with some 1000 rooms was

in the grip of a major blaze, and before long 150 firemen were trying to control the flames.

Their task was made all the more urgent by the need to protect as best they could.

As news of the fire spread, the Queen's officials rushed to Windsor. Among them was

Sir Hugh Roberts, severe emeritus of the Queen's works of art.

We all saw from the car a red glow in the sky, just a wall of flame all the way along

the north side of the castle.

And how were you feeling at that moment?

Absolutely, because Windsor Castle contains about half of the most important things in

the Royal Collection. 600 Leonardo's, for example, wonderful paintings, fantastic furniture,

tapestries, the lot.

The Duke of York, who was at the castle at the time, immediately organised a human chain

to bring out priceless works of art. He was clearly shaken.

I mean, I happened to be around the castle when it started, and I heard the fire alarm

and some two or three minutes later, where I came out of the room that I was actually

...