In England, south of London, an overnight fire guts the ancient medieval church in Croydon.

The largest and oldest church in the present-day south London borough of Croydon was completely burned out when newly installed stoves were believed to have overheated.  Croydon was then in Surrey, about twelve miles south of the capital. Dating from the medieval period, the church, now termed Croydon Minster, was rebuilt using the designs of famed architect George Gilbert Scott and remains today the primary church in the borough.  (By John Osborne)