On 15 May 1862 @ 6 AM a warden in the Cork County Goal saw fire raging in the nearby Queens College & raised the alarm. The West Wing, a two-storey building above 120' feet long & 30' wide was in flames. The Corporation firefighting apparatus arrived but there was no hydrant in 
the vicinity. A hose was connected to a water main & efforts made to concentrate on preventing the fire from spreading.
At about 08:00 hours the Royal Exchange Insurance Company brigade arrived in support. The military also arrived and formed a bucket brigade from the river. The
At about 08:00 hours the Royal Exchange Insurance Company brigade arrived in support. The military also arrived and formed a bucket brigade from the river. The
roof of the building fell in shortly after 8 o'clock.
Everything in the Materia Medica room, including the pharmacy equipment and the herbarium, then considered the finest in Great Britain & Ireland was destroyed. The pathological room containing a collection of cinchona plants
Everything in the Materia Medica room, including the pharmacy equipment and the herbarium, then considered the finest in Great Britain & Ireland was destroyed. The pathological room containing a collection of cinchona plants
once owned by the Emperor Napoleon was gutted. Manuscripts, notes of experiments, gems, antique metals and shields were all destroyed.
In the afternoon of the same day private enquiry was held at the police office. College President Sir Robert Kane, Mr O'Connor, the Crown
In the afternoon of the same day private enquiry was held at the police office. College President Sir Robert Kane, Mr O'Connor, the Crown
Prosecutor and three magistrates were of the unanimous opinion that the fire in the West Wing of Queens College Cork had been started deliberately early in the morning of 15 May 1862.
