It is not yet known to what extent Monday’s fire at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, south-east London will set back the 19th century ship’s £25m restoration.

Specialists, including architect Youmeheshe, project manager Mouchel Parkman and construction manager Heery had been working on the clipper and over half of it had been removed for conservation works before the incident. It emerged that the damage was confined to the middle and upper decks, but the Cutty Sark Trust says it could be a month before it finds out if the delicate wrought iron frame has been distorted. What is known is that it was already £7m short of its target and the fire could add up to £10m to that figure.