A fire declared in the morning of Friday, December 26, in the crypt of the Sagrado Corazón parish church, right in the center of Lourdes (France), is being investigated by French authorities, who favor the hypothesis of a deliberate act, although at the moment no definitive conclusion has been established.
The fire occurred the day after the Christmas celebration and was discovered around 7:35 a.m. by the temple’s sacristan, who upon arriving to start his workday found smoke and flames in the crypt. The employee immediately alerted the emergency services and tried to contain the fire until the firefighters arrived, which allowed limiting its spread.
Twelve firefighters were dispatched to the scene, who confirmed that the fire was confined to the crypt, although the interior of the temple was heavily affected by smoke. Thanks to the quick intervention, the fire was controlled without reaching the main nave or the upper levels of the building. Subsequently, the building was ventilated to ensure its safety.
Indications pointing to human action
Following the incident, an investigation was opened. According to the first data provided by the security forces, an accidental cause is considered unlikely. The head of the Lourdes police station, Humberto Dos Santos, stated that the origin of the fire seems linked to a human action and that the fire would have started a few minutes before the sacristan’s arrival.
The investigators rely on various material indications. A plexiglass panel located at the lower part of the building was found displaced, suggesting a possible nighttime intrusion. Additionally, the fire would have been started using cardboard stored in the crypt, which, according to the sacristan’s testimony, would have been moved before the incident. Samples have been taken to analyze if flammable substances were used.
For the moment, the authorities avoid formally speaking of a criminal fire, although they recognize that the circumstances strengthen the hypothesis of a deliberate act. The investigation continues to clarify the exact chronology of the events and identify possible those responsible.
Church closed and concern among the faithful
As a precautionary measure, the Sagrado Corazón church remains closed to the public until further notice. The funerals scheduled for that same Friday were moved to another temple in the city.
In Lourdes, one of the main shrines of world Catholicism, the fire that occurred immediately after Christmas has generated strong commotion among the faithful and has once again put on the table the concern for the security and protection of places of worship in France.
Source: Tribune Chrétienne