Fire Fury at Buckingham Palace! A man launched a shocking attack, setting fire to the iconic Queen Victoria Memorial right outside the gates of Buckingham Palace.
Quick-Thinking Police Stop Blaze
The incident unfolded around 10.10pm on Tuesday, 20 December 2022. Officers stationed at the Palace spotted the fire and quickly alerted firefighters while giving chase to the culprit.
Witnesses described the scene as police arrived “within seconds” of the flames starting. They wrestled the arsonist to the ground, shouting commands to “get on the floor, get down, stay down” as they made the arrest.
Arson Suspect in Custody
A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed: “Shortly after 22:08hrs on Tuesday, 20 December, a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage after a small fire was seen near the Buckingham Palace gates.
The man was taken into custody, and the fire was quickly extinguished. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
About the Queen Victoria Memorial
The towering 25-metre monument is crafted from 2,300 tonnes of pristine white Carrara marble. It honours Queen Victoria and features statues symbolising courage, constancy, victory, truth, and motherhood.
Designed by Sir Thomas Brock between 1906 and 1924, the entire landmark, including the Memorial Gardens, was the brainchild of Sir Aston Webb. King George V officially unveiled the monument in 1911.
The gates, piers, balustrades, and walls around the Memorial Gardens are all listed and protected as historic landmarks.
