Yesterday, demolition contractors began removing the roof of Pizzeria Romana – one of the few remaining 17th century structures in town – after it was ravaged by fire on Monday afternoon – the same day that a fierce fire took hold in the roof of the cathedral in Paris, causing extensive damage, including the collapse of its iconic spire.
Mr Carter said that although his organisation went to great lengths to protect its historic structures, fire did not represent the greatest risk.
‘You do have accidents happening but fire is definitely not the biggest threat to heritage in Jersey,’ he said.
‘There are a pale of listed buildings near the Odeon building which could be demolished if the new development goes ahead and, in recent years, there must have been about ten to 15 listed buildings demolished.
‘If you look at how many listed buildings have been damaged by fire over the same period that probably puts things into proportion – it is not the biggest risk that the Island is facing, it is rather the protection regime.’
Following the fire at Notre Dame, some have suggested that precious historical structures should be fitted with sprinklers, which could have prevented or significantly limited the amount of damage caused to the cathedral.
However, Mr Carter said that although some Jersey Heritage sites had automatic fire-suppression systems installed, it was not a one-size-fits-all solution and could in some cases intensify damage.
‘To comply with building regulations, when we put a self-catering apartment in at Hamptonne, we installed relatively well-disguised sprinklers in the ceiling.
‘But all buildings are different and Elizabeth Castle, for example, is mainly made out of stone so that is not going to catch fire and in some circumstances water can cause greater damage, which is why we use an inert gas-suppression system at Jersey Archive.
‘All of our buildings operate on agreed terms with Building Control and the Fire and Rescue Service.’
And it is not just historic structures that Jersey Heritage has in its portfolio. It also, within the Jersey Museum, holds a number of irreplaceable and precious artefacts.
In certain circumstances, and when authorised to do so by the Fire and Rescue Service, the organisation’s disaster plan may see staff enter the building to recover items.
‘Obviously, the most important thing in any of our buildings are people and we would never ever send anyone into a building if it was not 100% safe to do so,’ he said.
‘But if certain circumstances allow, there are a number of objects that we would hope to recover but that is really a matter for the Fire and Rescue Service.
‘However, most of the planning we have done is post-incident recovery and the treatment of objects damaged by fire or, in a lot of cases, water which, although it helps put out the fire, can be extremely damaging.’
Unknown to many Islanders, the Royal Court building holds a number of priceless artefacts including the portrait of George III, Philip Ouless’ 1869 painting of Major Peirson and Thomas Gainsborough’s 1780 portrait of Henry Conway.
And, on occasion, when the fire alarm has sounded during sittings in the States Chamber, Royal Court ushers have taken the Royal Mace out with them into the Royal Square.
But Mr Cartwright added that this was only the practice as it could be done with relative ease.
‘That is just using common sense as the Royal Court usher is sat right next to the mace, not because of that but because he is also close to the Bailiff,’ he said.
‘Unless there was a fire right in the area of the mace then they would grab it en-route as they are evacuating, only because it is easily achievable to do that.’
