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| France basilica fire: Saint-Donatien in Nantes in ruins | France basilica fire: Saint-Donatien in Nantes in ruins |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| A huge fire has destroyed part of the 19th Century basilica of Saint-Donatien in the French city of Nantes. | A huge fire has destroyed part of the 19th Century basilica of Saint-Donatien in the French city of Nantes. |
| The blaze broke out on Monday after morning Mass, with worshippers evacuated from the building, Rev Benoit Bertrand told local media. | The blaze broke out on Monday after morning Mass, with worshippers evacuated from the building, Rev Benoit Bertrand told local media. |
| Around 40 firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, which are believed to have originated on the roof where work was being carried out. | Around 40 firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, which are believed to have originated on the roof where work was being carried out. |
| Two workers escaped from the top of the building unharmed. | Two workers escaped from the top of the building unharmed. |
| The Mayor of Nantes, Johanna Rolland, said the basilica was "an important symbol" for the Catholic community. | The Mayor of Nantes, Johanna Rolland, said the basilica was "an important symbol" for the Catholic community. |
| In a statement on Facebook (in French) she also thanked firefighters for their "rapid and brave action". | In a statement on Facebook (in French) she also thanked firefighters for their "rapid and brave action". |
| The blaze broke out at around 10:30 local time (08:30 GMT) and may have been linked to "waterproofing work", according to the city's chief fire officer. | The blaze broke out at around 10:30 local time (08:30 GMT) and may have been linked to "waterproofing work", according to the city's chief fire officer. |
| The roof and the back part of the basilica - where some wooden beams have given way - have been severely damaged and efforts are now under way to save several precious objects inside the basilica, most notably its organ. | The roof and the back part of the basilica - where some wooden beams have given way - have been severely damaged and efforts are now under way to save several precious objects inside the basilica, most notably its organ. |
| Brendon Jeffreys, who works at the University of Nantes, witnessed the fire take hold. | Brendon Jeffreys, who works at the University of Nantes, witnessed the fire take hold. |
| "Initially, it consisted of huge plumes of smoke coming from the tower, but after a few minutes the flames started poking through and taking hold of the roof," he told the BBC. | "Initially, it consisted of huge plumes of smoke coming from the tower, but after a few minutes the flames started poking through and taking hold of the roof," he told the BBC. |
| "Many of the passers-by were visibly upset. The most frequent comment that I overheard was 'la vache', an expression of disbelief." | "Many of the passers-by were visibly upset. The most frequent comment that I overheard was 'la vache', an expression of disbelief." |
| Social media users shared images of the burning building on Twitter, showing smoke billowing from its rooftop. | Social media users shared images of the burning building on Twitter, showing smoke billowing from its rooftop. |
| The basilica dates back to the 19th Century and is dedicated to the religious martyrs St Donatien and St Rogatien. | The basilica dates back to the 19th Century and is dedicated to the religious martyrs St Donatien and St Rogatien. |
| Another of the city's religious sites, Nantes Cathedral, suffered similar damage during a fire in 1972. It has since been restored. | Another of the city's religious sites, Nantes Cathedral, suffered similar damage during a fire in 1972. It has since been restored. |