An arson investigation has being launched into a fire that broke out in a cathedral in the western French city of Nantes on Saturday, the city's Mayor Johanna Rolland told CNN affiliate BFM.

"What is certain is that there were three different fire outbreaks, I saw them myself," Rolland said about the blaze at Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which has been contained. CNN has contacted the Nantes prosecutor's office for more information.

Fire Chief Laurent Ferlay told a press briefing in front of the cathedral that the blaze was not as big as the one that engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral in April 2019, and the damage is not as bad.


"I can confirm that we are not in the Notre Dame of Paris situation, rooftop is not affected," Ferlay told CNN affiliate BFM on Saturday.

"The damage is concentrated on the organ, which seems to be completely destroyed. Its platform is very unstable and could collapse," he said.

Ferlay added there are 104 firefighters at the scene, who will remain there "all day."

Images and videos from the scene showed orange flames and smoke billowing out of the front windows of the soaring Gothic structure.

'Gothic gem'
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted his "support" of the firefighters who contained the fire on Saturday.

"After Notre-Dame, the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral, in the heart of Nantes, is in flames. Support to our firefighters who take all risks to save this Gothic gem of the city of the Dukes," Macron wrote.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex expressed "solidarity" to the people of Nantes in a tweet on Saturday morning.
"Thinking of our firefighters courageously mobilized to contain the fire in Nantes cathedral. I assure them of my support and my deep gratitude," he added.

France's Interior Minister, Culture Minister, and himself will visit Nantes Saturday afternoon, the Prime Minister added.

Regional firefighters told the public in an earlier tweet to "stay away from the area... do not interfere with the rescue squad."

Watch Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8c2jBQTEmg

Source
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/07/18/europe/nantes-cathedral-fire-intl/index.html

Their fire department came asap to control the fire from spreading.

Country wey de work

Righteousness89:
Fire, Floods, hail stone, Tornadoes, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, killings , etc

These are virtually what has taken over the Whole Earth...

They have been happening for ages though...

Artiiclebeast:
Eyaaa


R.I.P oh ancient If organs.

They are investigating it for arson. Looks like someone targeted the organ and set it ablaze

What's with France and cathedral burning

Righteousness89:
Fire, Floods, hail stone, Tornadoes, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, killings , etc

These are virtually what has taken over the Whole Earth...

I guessed you'll already be here typing garbage and I am right.

Aidejay:
I guessed you'll already be here typing garbage and I am right.

He is a fanatic. His own style of preaching na another thing..End time preacher

Righteousness89:


Hahahaha hahahaha....

You know why I am Laughing?

History is Repeating itself!

This was the same Talk the People in the days of Noah said when Noah was warning and telling them to come into the ark!
It has happened before! Nothing can happen

Hahahaha hahahaha... I Laugh again!

What Happened In that Time, Will Happen again

GARBAGE!

PORNeliusHUBson:
What's with France and cathedral burning

Fire..

It is well

sorry the ppl of Nantes ..missed the city