A fire broke out on Monday, April 5 in the college of Avesnes-sur-Helpe (North) and caused significant damage there without damaging the structure of the building, said firefighters and the prefecture.
A deputy pointing to a voluntary act at the end of the Easter weekend.
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Left around 6 pm, the fire was extinguished at 7 pm and reconnaissance was in progress in the evening to identify "
possible works to be preserved
", according to the departmental fire and rescue service of the North.
Located in the nave, the fire did not, according to the firefighters, damage the structure of the Saint-Nicolas collegiate church, a building classified as historical monuments.
The Avesnes-sur-Helpe prosecutor, Cécile Gressier, told AFP that an investigation was open, entrusted to the Avesnes gendarmerie "
with the support of the SR
", and that the cause of the fire was "
unknown at this time
".
"
Thoughts and solidarity moved for the Catholics of the North
", tweeted the Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin.
The prefect of the North "
wishes to express, while this fire occurs in the middle of Easter, his deep concern and his support for the Catholic community of which he communicated to the Archbishop of Cambrai Monsignor Dollmann
", he said. also made known in a press release.
"
Arson in the church of my town ... the Collegiate Church of Avesnes-sur-Helpe in the #Nord .... a shame .. an Easter Monday.
A bunch of burnt chairs in the choir according to our mayor.
The perpetrators must be found and answer for their actions,
”LREM deputy Anne-Laure Cattelot wrote on her Twitter account.