A huge fire that tore through a 14th century castle in Slovakia was caused by two boys smoking, investigators have said.
The fire happened on Saturday, when, according to police spokeswoman Jana Mesarova, the boys aged 11 and 12 were trying to light a cigarette on the hill that Krasna Horka has stood for nearly 700 years. Careless use of safety matches led to dry grass around the castle quickly catching fire and engulfing the building, destroying its roof and much of the bell tower and gothic palace.
Incredibly, caretakers managed to save around 90 per cent of the castle’s historical collections, which included antique furniture, oil paintings and photography, as well as a 16th century armoury.
The building is one of the few castles that was not plundered by the Nazi’s in World War II and is a source of great pride for Slovaks.
It recently received a two-year restoration, re-opening in April 2011. The full extent of the damage is not yet known, but with the roof completely destroyed it is unlikely that the castle will be open to visitors again for some years.
