The fire broke out around 6 p.m. Monday in the nave of the college of Avesnes-sur-Helpes in the North.
It took more than an hour for the men of the departmental fire and rescue service to come to the end of the flames in this Gothic church built around the 13th century.
According to firefighters, the structure of this building classified as historical monuments since 1913 has not suffered any deformation.
On the other hand, an inventory had to establish whether objects were destroyed.
This collegiate church contains several important works: two Baroque altarpieces from the beginning of the 17th century, a rare brotherhood bench from the 16th century, the large woodwork from the Louis XV period which adorns the chapel of the Virgin and the Saint-Nicolas chapel with their paintings of Louis Watteau or the funeral monument of Adrien de Blois in red marble from the 16th century.
Fire in the college of Avesnes-sur-Helpes, Monday.
SDIS
The Avesnes-sur-Helpe prosecutor, Cécile Gressier, indicated that an investigation had been opened and entrusted to the Avesnes gendarmerie.
If officially, the causes of the fire remain to be determined, there is no doubt for Anne-Laure Cattelot, LREM MP: “Arson in the church in my town.
The Collegiate Church of Avesnes-sur-Helpe in the North.
A shame.
Easter Monday.
A pile of chairs set on fire in the choir according to our mayor.
The perpetrators must be found and answer for their actions, ”she said on her Twitter account.
Arson in the church of my town ... the Collegiate Church of Avesnes-sur-Helpe in the #Nord .... a shame .. an Easter Monday.
A pile of chairs set on fire in the choir according to our mayor.
The authors must be found and answer for their actions @GDarmanin @E_DupondM
- Anne-Laure Cattelot (@ALCattelot) April 5, 2021
"Thoughts and moved solidarity for the Catholics of the North", also tweeted the Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin.
For his part, the prefect of the North also provided his support but also “his deep concern”.
Thank you to the firefighters of @ Sdis59 for their rapid intervention following the fire at the church in Avesnes-sur-Helpe.
An investigation is underway and should shed light on the circumstances of this fire.
Thoughts and emotional solidarity for the Catholics of the North.
- Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) April 5, 2021
This collegiate church had its heyday on August 2, 1461 when the King of France Louis XI had a funeral service in honor of his father, King Charles VII, in the presence of most of the nobility of France.
It was there that he donned the royal insignia for the first time before returning to France and being crowned in Reims.
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In the past, this church has already suffered significant damage.
Partially destroyed in 1477 and then by fire in 1514, it was rebuilt from 1534. On September 2, 1944 as American troops entered town, the French flag was hoisted at the top of the tower.
The German troops remaining nearby launched an incendiary shell which destroyed the Belfry.
The dome and roof were restored in 1950.
