Britain's largest cathedral survives fire

A fire Monday gutted a 760-year-old wing of York Minster, the largest medieval cathedral in Britain. Lightning was believed to have started the blaze. Damage was estimated at $1.3 million.

The fire collapsed the roof of the South Transept, which dates to about 1220. The cathedral's famous stained glass was covered with black soot.

Firefighters saved the 200-foot-high central tower, and Church of England authorities said in a bulletin posted outside the cathedral that they hoped to reopen the building by the end of the week ''if it is safe to do so.''