A spectacular blaze ravaged the roof of a 19th century basilica in western France on Monday, causing major damage but no injuries, authorities said.
The fire in Nantes is "probably linked to waterproofing work that was taking place on the roof," said the city's chief fire officer, who added the blaze had been "contained" by mid-morning.
Some 60 firefighters fought the inferno at the basilica Saint-Donatien, which broke out around 10:45am (0845 GMT). Two workers on the roof when the blaze broke out escaped injury.
The back part of the basilica has been seriously damaged and some of the wooden beams have given way, authorities said.
Firefighters are now scrambling to save some of the precious objects inside the basilica, notably the organ.
Video footage of the blaze showed huge flames licking the rear part of the basilica, with the whole central section of the church gutted.
Local vicar Michel Bonnet said it was lucky the fire broke out when it did.
"If it had happened a little bit sooner, at 9:00am, you would have had about 80 people there for morning mass," Bonnet told AFP.
"And on Sunday, we have between 900 and 1,000 people in the church. It's an accident. I'm pretty philosophical about it. The church hasn't totally collapsed. There were no serious injuries... but the church will be closed for quite a few months," added Bonnet.
Bruno Winkel, who has played the organ at the basilica for 25 years, was rehearsing when suddenly the lights went out.
"It's impressive when you see flames like that. It happens very fast and when I was down below I could feel the heat," he said.
Local authorities said most of the roof had been destroyed and debris had rained down onto the altar.
An old woman who gave her name as Marie-Josephe stood by, seemingly very upset by the blaze.
"My husband's funeral took place there. I saw the fire break out from my house. I feel a pain... as if I've lost someone."
A spectacular blaze ravaged the roof of a 19th century basilica in western France on Monday, causing major damage but no injuries, authorities said.
The fire in Nantes is “probably linked to waterproofing work that was taking place on the roof,” said the city’s chief fire officer, who added the blaze had been “contained” by mid-morning.
Some 60 firefighters fought the inferno at the basilica Saint-Donatien, which broke out around 10:45am (0845 GMT). Two workers on the roof when the blaze broke out escaped injury.
The back part of the basilica has been seriously damaged and some of the wooden beams have given way, authorities said.
Firefighters are now scrambling to save some of the precious objects inside the basilica, notably the organ.
Video footage of the blaze showed huge flames licking the rear part of the basilica, with the whole central section of the church gutted.
Local vicar Michel Bonnet said it was lucky the fire broke out when it did.
“If it had happened a little bit sooner, at 9:00am, you would have had about 80 people there for morning mass,” Bonnet told AFP.
“And on Sunday, we have between 900 and 1,000 people in the church. It’s an accident. I’m pretty philosophical about it. The church hasn’t totally collapsed. There were no serious injuries… but the church will be closed for quite a few months,” added Bonnet.
Bruno Winkel, who has played the organ at the basilica for 25 years, was rehearsing when suddenly the lights went out.
“It’s impressive when you see flames like that. It happens very fast and when I was down below I could feel the heat,” he said.
Local authorities said most of the roof had been destroyed and debris had rained down onto the altar.
An old woman who gave her name as Marie-Josephe stood by, seemingly very upset by the blaze.
“My husband’s funeral took place there. I saw the fire break out from my house. I feel a pain… as if I’ve lost someone.”
