A major fire at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Saint-Omer, northern France, has raised concerns and prompted questions, including from tech mogul Elon Musk.
The 19th-century church, renowned for its neo-Gothic architecture, was engulfed in flames on Monday morning, resulting in the collapse of its iconic bell tower.
Unveiled in 1859, the historic church has survived two world wars.
According to local reports, both the steeple and the bell tower of the church sustained significant damage, while it took more than 90 firefighters to contain the fire.
No injuries were reported.
Officials say a suspect has been taken into custody. He is said to be known to the authorities "for similar acts" in the past.
Since January 2023, approximately 40 churches in the country have caught fire, sparking fears of a potential trend. In July, a medieval cathedral in the city of Rouen also experienced a fire during renovations.
Following that incident, a map allegedly showing crimes against French churches and cathedrals, including theft and vandalism, circulated widely on social media. However, claims that it depicted only instances of arson were debunked as false.
Responding to the fire at Saint-Omer, Elon Musk took to social media to ask, "Is this definitely arson?" reflecting broader concerns about the causes of these church fires.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has expressed his solidarity with the Catholic community and confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.
