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January 6, 2011

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Blaze on roof of historic palace

More than 40 firefighters were called to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire on 21 December after staff tried to thaw frozen pipes with fire.

Firefighters attend roof blaze at Blenheim

Battling freezing temperatures, staff had tried to get the building’s pipes working again by warming them with a propane blowtorch.

However, they managed to set fire to a bird’s nest in the roof of the building.

Kenny Blair, group manager at the local fire and rescue team, told the BBC they have a rehearsed plan for fires in the building due to its "international historic value".

He said: "We have few incidents at the palace but being of international historic value, we have a well rehearsed plan to ensure we are working together in partnership with the palace so that should an eventuality like this happen we know exactly what we are doing.

"The damage is minimal, there’s a small amount of smoke damage to the roof structure but the substantive part of the palace and rooms have been completely unaffected.

Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Winston Churchill and is home to the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough.

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