Fire Damage
We were the first in our business to perfect techniques to save and restore severely fire- and smoke-damaged historic woodwork. This enabled us to rescue, after serious fires, delicate 17th-century limewood carvings by Grinling Gibbons at Hampton Court Palace and roof bosses at Alphington Church, Exeter. Since that time we have successfully rescued woodwork from many other historic buildings where in the past as a result of fire this important heritage would have been totally lost.
We also undertake projects following water damage.

Below is a gallery of some of our fire damage restoration work - click on the arrows to move left and right through the slides or click on the 'pictures' tab to see a selection of thumbnail images.

1a. St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Alphington, Devon: Fire damage

Following a serious fire in 1987 we were asked to carve 180 new roof bosses and 24 wallplate angels that were seriously charred.

Fire Damage

1b. St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Alphington, Devon: Fire damage

By consolidation and repainting, all but a handful of the original bosses were saved and an enormous cost saving was also achieved.

Fire Damage

1c. St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Alphington, Devon: Fire damage

Boss after treatment

Fire Damage

1d. St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Alphington, Devon: Fire damage

Restored ceiling

Fire Damage

2a. Bentley Hall, Hungry Bentley, Uttoxeter, Derbyshire: Fire damage

The photographs after the fire show the extent of damage but in fact only approximately 30% of the original material was lost.

Fire Damage

2b. Bentley Hall, Hungry Bentley, Uttoxeter, Derbyshire: Fire damage

The original was saved by a process of in-depth consolidation and graining.

Fire Damage

2c. Bentley Hall, Hungry Bentley, Uttoxeter, Derbyshire: Fire damage

Fire-damaged staircase.

Fire Damage

2d. Bentley Hall, Hungry Bentley, Uttoxeter, Derbyshire: Fire damage

Conserved staircase

Fire Damage

2e. Bentley Hall, Hungry Bentley, Uttoxeter, Derbyshire: Fire damage

Design drawings for the conservation

Fire Damage

3a. Grinling Gibbons carving, Middle Temple, London: Fire damage

Despite the seriousness of the fire, only 3% of the original material was lost.

Fire Damage

3b. Grinling Gibbons carving, Middle Temple, London: Fire damage

The surviving material was saved by a process of in-depth consolidation and graining.

Fire Damage

3c. Grinling Gibbons carving , Middle Temple, London: Fire damage

Conserved carving

Fire Damage

3d. Grinling Gibbons carving , Middle Temple, London: Fire damage

Conservation in progress

Fire Damage

4a. Turweston Manor, Bucks: Water damage

Following a major fire, we were asked to report on the condition and significance of the panelling, much of which was severely damaged by water.

Water Damage

4b. Turweston Manor, Bucks: Water damage

Fire and water damage

Water Damage

4c. Turweston Manor, Bucks: Water damage

Detail

Water Damage


Hugh Harrison Conservation ♦ Ringcombe Farm, West Anstey, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3NZ, UK ♦ tel: 01398 341382