Firefighters battled a blaze at an 18th century mansion on Wednesday, which started in the basement of Clandon House before spreading to the roof. Sixteen crews tackled the flames at the National Trust property in Clandon Park, near Guildford in Surrey. Thick black smoke poured from the building with flames gutting the inside. Witness Chris Nicholson, tweeted: "The smell of burning and the thick smoke is continuing and we have to close the windows."
Clandon House was built in the 1720s and contained a large collection of 18th century furniture, porcelain and textiles. It has been managed by the National Trust since 1856. On Wednesday evening, crews were still struggling to contain the flames engulfing the Grade I listed stately home. A National Trust spokesman said: "The building was evacuated and everyone who was in the house is safe. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service is working to bring the fire under control and we would like to thank them for their swift response."
Clandon Park Fire
(01 of40)
Dozens of firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(02 of40)
Dozens of firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(03 of40)
Firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(04 of40)
Firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, a Palladian mansion built in the 1720s, after a fire broke out at the National Trust property near Guildford, Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(05 of40)
Firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, a Palladian mansion built in the 1720s, after a fire broke out at the National Trust property near Guildford, Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(06 of40)
Dozens of firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(07 of40)
Firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(08 of40)
Firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(09 of40)
Firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(10 of40)
Firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(11 of40)
The Fire brigade attempt to put out a large fire at Clandon Park House on April 29, 2015 in Guildford, England. 60 fire officers are attending the fire, which started in the basement of the 18th century house. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(12 of40)
Firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(13 of40)
The Fire brigade attempt to put out a large fire at Clandon Park House on April 29, 2015 in Guildford, England. 60 fire officers are attending the fire, which started in the basement of the 18th century house. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(14 of40)
The Fire brigade attempt to put out a large fire at Clandon Park House on April 29, 2015 in Guildford, England. 60 fire officers are attending the fire, which started in the basement of the 18th century house. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(15 of40)
The Fire brigade attempt to put out a large fire at Clandon Park House on April 29, 2015 in Guildford, England. 60 fire officers are attending the fire, which started in the basement of the 18th century house. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(16 of40)
The Fire brigade attempt to put out a large fire at Clandon Park House on April 29, 2015 in Guildford, England. 60 fire officers are attending the fire, which started in the basement of the 18th century house. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(17 of40)
Firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(18 of40)
Firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(19 of40)
Firefighters battle a blaze at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(20 of40)
Fire continues to burn in Clandon Park House on April 29, 2015 in Guildford, England. 60 fire officers are attending the large fire which started in the basement of the 18th century house. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(21 of40)
The Fire brigade attempt to put out a large fire at Clandon Park House on April 29, 2015 in Guildford, England. 60 fire officers are attending the fire, which started in the basement of the 18th century house. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(22 of40)
A fire at Clandon Park, an 18th century National Trust property near Guildford in Surrey. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday April 29, 2015. The fire is believed to have started in the basement of Clandon House before spreading to the roof. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
(23 of40)
Fire brigade spray water on Clandon Park House on April 29, 2015 in Guildford, England. 60 fire officers are attending the large fire which started in the basement of the 18th century house. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(24 of40)
Fire brigade spray water on Clandon Park House on April 29, 2015 in Guildford, England. 60 fire officers are attending the large fire which started in the basement of the 18th century house. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(25 of40)
Fire brigade spray water on Clandon Park House on April 29, 2015 in Guildford, England. 60 fire officers are attending the large fire which started in the basement of the 18th century house. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(26 of40)
Fire brigade spray water on Clandon Park House on April 29, 2015 in Guildford, England. 60 fire officers are attending the large fire which started in the basement of the 18th century house. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(27 of40)
Fire damage is visible through a doorway at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(28 of40)
Fire brigade officers take a break at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(29 of40)
Fire damage is visible at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(30 of40)
Fire officers stand in the doorway to inspect damage at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(31 of40)
Fire damage is visible at Clandon Park House as smoke is still seen coming from the remains of the roof on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(32 of40)
A fireman continues to douse burning timbers at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(33 of40)
Fire damage is visible at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(34 of40)
A fire officer stands in the doorway to inspect damage at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(35 of40)
A fireman inspects damage at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(36 of40)
Fire officers continue to douse burning timbers at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(37 of40)
Fire officers stand in the doorway to inspect damage at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(38 of40)
Fire officers continue to douse burning timbers at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(39 of40)
Fire officers continue to douse burning timbers at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
(40 of40)
Fire officers continue to douse burning timbers at Clandon Park House on April 30, 2015 near Guildford, England. Salvage operations have begun to rescue antiques from the remains of the 18th century stately home after a fire gutted large parts of the building. (credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)