Historic buildings damaged or destroyed by fire

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

The Temple of Artemis, which stood in Ephesus near the modern town of Selçuk in present-day Turkey, was the first marble temple in the Greek world. In 356 BCE, the temple erupted in flames, the result of arson committed by an individual called Herostratus, who was motivated by a desire for personal fame and notoriety. The site today is marked only by charred and weathered foundations and fragments.

Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

The loss of the ancient world's single greatest archive of knowledge, the Library of Alexandria, has been lamented for centuries. The library was accidentally burned by Julius Caesar during his civil war in 48 BCE. History records that some of the collection of the near 400,000 papyrus scrolls survived the inferno. Sadly, these have been lost to time.

Old St Paul's fire, 1666

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

St Paul's Cathedral in London is one of the world's most recognized buildings. But it stands in the place of Old St Paul's, built from 1087 to 1314, and totally destroyed in 1666 during the Great Fire of London.

White House fire, 1814

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

On August 14, 1814, during the American Revolutionary War, British troops overran Washington and proceeded to sack the city. A primary target was the White House, which they torched in retaliation for the American attack on the city of York in Ontario, Canada, in June 1813.

Westminster Palace fire, 1834

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

Westminster Palace, Britain's medieval-era seat of parliament, was largely destroyed by a blaze in October 1834. Attributed to a chimney fire, the resulting conflagration was the largest London had seen since 1666. Construction of the new palace was completed in 1860 with the inauguration of the Victoria Tower.

Tuileries Palace fire, 1871

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

The fire that engulfed Tuileries Palace on May 23, 1871, was of sufficient magnitude to totally destroy this famous 19th-century landmark. It occurred during the suppression of the Paris Commune, and was blamed on arsonists.

University of Leuven Library fire, 1914

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

On August 19, 1914, German troops arrived in Leuven and proceeded to sack the Belgian town. Among the buildings destroyed was the university library. Rare Gothic and Renaissance manuscripts, a collection of 750 medieval manuscripts, and more than 1,000 incunabula (books printed before 1501) were among the priceless volumes lost in a wanton act of cultural vandalism that shocked the world.

The Crystal Palace fire, 1936

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

The Crystal Palace in London's Hyde Park was built to house the Great Exhibition of 1851. On November 30, 1936, a small fire broke out. The fire brigade was called out and tried unsuccessfully to deal with the fire, which was getting larger by the minute. The flames spread rapidly, largely due to wooden flooring. Blistering heat fractured the glass and eventually melted the building's iron frame. The Victorian palace was lost forever.

Hotel Polen fire, 1977

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

Hotel Polen in Amsterdam was one of the most historic guest accommodation options in the city, established in 1891. On May 9, 1977, a fire broke out in the five-story property, resulting in 33 deaths and 21 severe injuries. The building was subsequently demolished. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

York Minster fire, 1984

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

York Minster, consecrated in 1472, is one of England's finest examples of medieval religious architecture. But this extraordinary cathedral and its interior riches were threatened by fire on July 9, 1984, after a lightning strike. The roof collapsed, and the intense heat caused the stained glass in the 15th-century Rose Window to crack into 40,000 pieces.

Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

Hampton Court Palace is one of the most distinguished royal properties in Great Britain. King Henry VIII made it his home and added the Great Hall. In 1986, the palace was damaged by a major fire, which spread to the King's Apartments. It was likely caused by a lit candle. The fire led to an extensive new program of restoration work, which was completed in 1990. 

World Trade Center fires, 2001

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

The September 11, 2001, aerial attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City caused two enormous infernos, the heat from which eventually softened and weakened the steel lattice reinforcing columns, which caused floors to sag, pulling perimeter columns inward, thus reducing their ability to support the mass of the building above. The towers were designed by renowned Japanese-American architect Minoru Yamasaki and featured numerous innovative design elements.

Brighton West Pier fire, 2003

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

A partial metal framework is all that remains of Brighton's West Pier, once one of Victorian Britain's most cherished visitor attractions. Closed in 1970 due to safety concerns, the pierhead caught fire on March 28, 2003, after an alleged arson attack. The following year, high winds caused the middle of the pier to collapse completely, after which English Heritage declared the once famous structure beyond repair.

Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

Fire gutted Aleppo's medieval Al-Madina Souq on September 30, 2012, after the area was shelled by Syrian regime forces during the civil war, which is still on-going. Hundreds of shops were burned, many of which had stood since the 14th century.

Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

One of the United States' iconic covered bridges, the historic Honey Run Covered Bridge was completed in 1887, with a cover added in 1901. It was destroyed on November 8, 2018, by the Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history.

Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

Temple of Artemis fire, 356 BCE, Library of Alexandria fire, 48 BCE, Old St Paul's fire, 1666, White House fire, 1814, Westminster Palace fire, 1834, Tuileries Palace fire, 1871, University of Leuven Library fire, 1914, The Crystal Palace fire, 1936, Hotel Polen fire, 1977, York Minster fire, 1984, Hampton Court Palace fire, 1986, World Trade Center fires, 2001, Brighton West Pier fire, 2003, Al-Madina Souq fire, 2012, Honey Run Covered Bridge fire, 2018, Copenhagen Old Stock Exchange fire, 2024

On April 16, 2024, fire ripped through Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange, one of the Danish capital's most famous landmarks. A number of Renaissance paintings and furniture were recovered from the 17th-century building before the flames spread. There was no report of any casualties.

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