A historic 19th-century church, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Saint-Omer, France, was severely damaged by an early morning fire. The blaze, which caused the collapse of the steeple and bell tower, required the efforts of over 90 firefighters to bring it under control. No injuries were reported.
Elon Musk reacted to the news on social media, sharing a video of the fire and questioning if it was a case of arson. Reports from AFP and French news outlet Le Monde confirmed significant damage to the church, which is renowned for its neo-Gothic architecture, including soaring spires, detailed stone carvings, and stained glass windows.
France’s Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed sympathy for the Catholics and the residents of Saint-Omer and announced that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.
