The fire at the Cathedral in Nantes started very early this Saturday morning
Very early this Saturday morning, a fire broke out in the Saint-Pierre cathedral in Nantes. About sixty firefighters were called to contain the incident. At around 8 a.m., the flames were no longer visible, but thick black smoke was emerging from the building under the dumbfounded gaze of many passers-by. The fire could have started at the level of the Nave. The damage would be very significant. The facade of the cathedral is badly damaged, especially the stained glass windows blackened by smoke. At 9:30 am, the situation seemed to stabilize, but black smoke was still emerging from the building.
Place Saint Pierre toujours occupée par les pompiers à #Nantes alors que les opérations se poursuivent (mais très peu d’infos filtrent encore) #incendie #cathedrale pic.twitter.com/kPj03s1FOe
— 20 Minutes Nantes (@20minutesnantes) July 18, 2020
We do not yet know the reasons for the incident. The place Saint-Pierre was completely buckled and is now occupied by the firefighters. Johanna Rolland, mayor of Nantes, and other elected officials are on-site as well as religious authorities.
#nantes La cathédrale Saint Pierre est en proie aux flammes pic.twitter.com/RmuYchwZsa
— 20 Minutes Nantes (@20minutesnantes) July 18, 2020
In 1972, the Nantes cathedral, built between the 15th and 19th centuries, had already burned down. A roofer’s torch had caused a fire, devastating the entire roof. The Nantes building had remained closed for three years. It required heavy restoration work.
More recently, we remember that in 2015 the Saint-Donatien basilica was partially destroyed by a violent fire.
Déjà de gros déjà visibles sur la façade de la cathédrale Saint-Pierre, touchée par un incendie depuis ce matin #Nantes pic.twitter.com/dpoz0MXzGO
— 20 Minutes Nantes (@20minutesnantes) July 18, 2020
