The Crystal Palace fire of 1936: how the glass palace came to its end
The Crystal Palace fire of 1936 is one of the best-remembered events in London's history, destroying a vast structure of glass and cast iron. How did the fire unfold, and what happened to the remains? We have gathered the main facts and highlighted where accounts differ. The information follows the sequence of events, from the evening the fire broke out to the removal of the towers. The palace's history before the disaster is a separate subject and is not covered here.
The start of the fire on 30 November 1936
The fire broke out on the evening of 30 November 1936. According to most accounts, it was noticed at around seven o'clock. The Crystal Palace fire spread quickly through the glass and cast iron structure, engulfing more of the building with every passing minute. The building's size and hilltop position meant that the glow was visible from many parts of London.
Accounts differ on where the fire began. Some mention the offices and a women's cloakroom, while others refer to a staff room. The reports alone cannot resolve this disagreement, so both versions are given here without favouring either. The same applies to the time: most accounts say around seven, but not all agree.
The fire brigade and the difficulty of fighting the fire
Crews from four fire brigades took part. Sources differ on the amount of equipment used: some say that about 88 or 89 fire engines were sent, while others put the figure at anything from about 88 to more than 90 appliances. Both versions are included here, as no definitive total is given. Either way, the figure is close to ninety appliances or more, showing the scale of the operation.
Low water pressure made the fire harder to fight. The brigades had a substantial amount of equipment, yet the water supply remained one of the operation's main difficulties. The progress of the firefighting effort depended not only on the number of engines available but also on the conditions in which the crews had to work.
The causes and the aftermath of the fire
The cause of the fire has not been established beyond doubt. Reports mention worn electrical wiring, while some accounts suggest arson. Worn wiring would indicate an electrical fault, whereas arson would mean the fire had been started deliberately. The sources do not establish which explanation is correct. In this overview, both are treated as hypotheses.
When reading studies of the fire, it helps to distinguish established facts from uncertain details. The date, the approximate time reported by most accounts, the involvement of four brigades and the low water pressure are consistently recorded. The cause of the fire, its starting point and the exact number of appliances remain uncertain. If a text presents one explanation as fact, it is worth checking the evidence behind it. Comparing several studies can help establish whether they report the same time, identify the same starting point and give a similar number of appliances.
Nobody died, so the losses were confined to the building. During the Second World War, the remains of the great glass and cast iron structure were cleared away.
Brunel's towers after the fire
The fate of Brunel's water towers is a separate part of the story. They were taken down in 1940 and 1941. The south tower was dismantled in sections in the autumn of 1940, while the north tower was blown up on 16 April 1941. This distinction matters: the two towers were removed at different times and by different methods.
The reason usually given is concern that the towers would help German bombers navigate. That explanation is sometimes regarded as uncertain, so it should be treated with caution rather than presented as an established fact. The dates and methods of demolition are certain, but the motive remains open to doubt.
The terraces and the sphinxes survive to this day and are among the few remains of the palace. They mark the site where a huge glass building once stood. When describing what remains at the site after the fire, it is therefore appropriate to refer to the terraces and the sphinxes, rather than the towers, which are gone.
Summary
The Crystal Palace fire of 1936 began on the evening of 30 November, and the loss was permanent: the building was destroyed, and Brunel's towers disappeared in 1940 and 1941. Accounts of many details, from where the fire started to the exact number of engines, still vary between sources. You can explore more history in the other articles on this site, where we bring together historical facts in a clear sequence.