Arson Suspected – Massive Blaze Destroys Parts Of Nantes Cathedral In France

Firefighters, Saturday, have been battling a massive blaze at the cathedral in the French city of Nantes, located on the Loire River in the Upper Brittany region of western France.

BBC News states, the fire, which has already destroyed the Cathedral of Saint Pierre and Saint Paul’s stained glass windows and grand organ, is believed to have been deliberately set on fire. 

The fire comes a little over a year after a blaze destroyed Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Video footage uploaded onto Twitter shows smoke billowing out of the cathedral’s arch-shaped window. 

#France: Massive fire has broken out at the 15th century #Nantes Cathedral. Incident comes a year after a blaze destroyed Notre-Dame Cathedral. #NantesFire #NantesCathedral #SaintPierre #saintpaul #notredamedeparis #Cathedrale #cathedraledenantespic.twitter.com/VXaEC9gujA

— Annu Kaushik (@AnnuKaushik253) July 18, 2020

Twitter handle Valentin Bourdaud said the fire started in the early morning hours on Saturday. 

Une épaisse fumée noire sort de la Cathédrale de Nantes, un incendie bien semble déclaré #Nantes #Incendie #Cathedrale #Foch pic.twitter.com/sz1m8L8v7h

— Valentin Bourdaud (@ValBourdaud) July 18, 2020

Bourdaud documents the emergency response effort to contain the blaze. RT News said, “over 100 firefighters to the scene to tackle the major fire.” 

Les pompiers ont accédé au premier étage #Nantes #Cathedrale #Incendie pic.twitter.com/1RahCfVhU1

— Valentin Bourdaud (@ValBourdaud) July 18, 2020

Incendie Cathédrale de Nantes pic.twitter.com/MmrjbLSadY

— Jean Barenton (@jeanbarenbar) July 18, 2020

Bourdaud said the fire has been “stabilized.” 

Arrivée d’un véhicule de soutien sanitaire #Nantes #Cathedrale #Incendie pic.twitter.com/x7ndUEZZIX

— Valentin Bourdaud (@ValBourdaud) July 18, 2020

Très peu de fumée s’échappe désormais, cela semble se stabiliser #Nantes #Cathedrale pic.twitter.com/3oWEvUvqAB

— Valentin Bourdaud (@ValBourdaud) July 18, 2020

He shows an image of French police using a drone to investigate the scene. 

“The damage is concentrated on the organ, which seems to be completely destroyed. It’s platform is very unstable and could collapse,” French fire chief General Laurent Ferlay told reporters. 

According to the public prosecutor of Nantes, Pierre Sennes, said “three departures of fire” were started within the cathedral on early Saturday morning. 

Selon le procureur de la République de Nantes, Pierre Sennès, « trois départs de feu » ont été observés à l’intérieur de la cathédrale de Nantes, ce samedi matin. « Un au niveau du grand orgue, un à droite et un autre à gauche de la nef ». La Police judiciaire est saisie. pic.twitter.com/IhD52TrbZe

— Presse Océan (@presseocean) July 18, 2020

As for the latest cathedral burnings and destruction of Christian Europe, here’s a good weekend read: “The Burning Of Notre Dame And The Destruction Of Christian Europe.”