The Fire
The last event held at the Orsett Hall was Chafford Hundred Campus' School Prom, held on 10 May 2007. Only a few hours after they left the building, it caught alight and collapsed. The fire broke out in the kitchen while breakfast was being prepared and spread rapidly. Guests were evacuated and fortunately no one was seriously hurt. More than 70 Essex firefighters and crews attended, including two fire engines from Orsett, two from Grays, two from Basildon including an aerial ladder platform, one from Southend, and a Fire Brigade Command Unit from Brentwood. The building collapsed at around midday.
The house contained antique furniture and Sir Francis' ceremonial uniform as well as photographs and documents relating to the history of the house and Whitmore family. There were numerous paintings, including many family portraits that displayed the characteristic family trait - a "prominent nose". Sadly, nothing was saved. Prior to the fire, documents from the Orsett Estate during the 19th and 20th centuries had been deposited in the Museum of English Rural Life at Reading. There are some other documents related to Orsett Hall in the Essex Record Office.
Following the fire, the building was de-listed on 10 March 2008.
Read more about this topic: Orsett Hall
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—Bible: Hebrew, Exodus 3:2.
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