Dave Long, then 41, was arriving on July 9, 1984, after two decades in the service.
But even that couldn’t mask his horror at seeing the devastation caused by the fire, thought to have been caused by lightening striking the cathedral’s South Transept.
Speaking to The Press 40 years on as a special service is due to be held at the Minster today (Tuesday, July 9) marking the anniversary, Dave recalls the events like they happened yesterday.
Read next:
- 1984 York Minster fire - how events unfolded on dramatic night 40 years ago
- The Minster's Burning...York Minster's great fire of 1984 remembered
- The night when fire hit York Minster
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