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World Europe

Fire ravages historic church in northern France

A fire broke out in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in the town of Saint-Om



The bell tower of the historic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Saint-Omer, northern France collapsed as a result of the blaze early Monday. An investigation is under way to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Image Credit: X | TRobinsonNewEra | MYLUNCHBREAK

Lilli, France: A major fire broke out at a historic church in northern France early Monday, with its bell tower collapsing as a result of the blaze, officials said.

At around 4:30 am (0230 GMT) a fire broke out in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in the northern town of Saint-Omer.

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Thanks to the efforts of 90 firefighters the fire had been contained by Monday morning, but the church steeple collapsed, a representative of the prefecture told AFP.

No one was injured, but around 50 residents living nearby were evacuated as a precaution, officials said.

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"My thoughts are with the Catholics and the people of Saint-Omer," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on X, formerly Twitter.

"An investigation is under way to determine the exact cause of the fire," he added.

The church, which features neo-Gothic furnishings, was unveiled in 1859.

It was restored and reopened in 2018.

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In July, a fire broke out in the spire of the mediaeval cathedral in the northern French city of Rouen during renovation work. No major damage was reported.

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