Choquée je viens de voir l'église de #saintdonatien en feu ! #nantes @Erwangdb pic.twitter.com/SRGcCgd6Li
— Mathilde Moreau (@theatrenantes) June 15, 2015 The Basilica of Saint-Donatien in Nantes has been significantly damaged by a huge fire. As reported by the BBC, the fire started at around 10:30 am local time, and is believed to have broken out on the roof of the building in connection with waterproofing work.
She's just a church and she's on fiiiiire #nantes #stdonatien #saintdonatien #incendie pic.twitter.com/fzg2lNgxLK
— vincentimes (@VincentParichi) June 15, 2015 The basilica of Saint-Donatien was constructed in the late 19th Century, and is dedicated to 3rd-century religious martyrs St Donatien and St Rogatien. In a statement posted to Facebook (shown below) the Mayor of Nantes Johanna Rolland described the building as an "important symbol for the entire Catholic Community of Nantes."
Un incendie est actuellement en cours dans les toitures de la Basilique Saint-Donatien. Je me suis immédiatement rendue...
Posted by Johanna Rolland on Monday, June 15, 2015
As a result of the fire, large sections of the roof have been completely destroyed, and an area at the rear of the basilica has also been damaged by collapsing beams. Though the fire is now under control, efforts are underway to save the basilica's precious artifacts, including the organ.
La photo qui fait mal. #SaintDonatien pic.twitter.com/qLL0B6FDpm
— Jean-Baptiste GIGON (@jeanbagigon) June 15, 2015 The fire began at the end of Monday morning mass, and worshippers were evacuated from the building. The two workers involved in waterproofing the roof also escaped unharmed.
#SaintDonatien #nantes #incendie série photos de 11h à 15h du même point de vue. pic.twitter.com/DIzbeE30Nr
— Sébastien Hérault (@sherault) June 15, 2015 Triste spectacle... #saintdonatien pic.twitter.com/e8STY7qnWd
— Guillaume RICHARD ن (@guillaumerichar) June 15, 2015 News via the BBC.
