Tourists evacuated after fire at Spanish basilica

[1holycatholic]

** Tourists evacuated after fire at Spanish basilica **MADRID — Around 1,700 people were evacuated from one of Spain’s most popular tourist attractions on Tuesday, after a suspected arsonist started a small fire inside Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica.
Four people were treated for smoke inhalation and the fire caused what appears to be significant damage to the basilica’s sacristy where it was ignited, a Catalan regional police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with force rules.

Around 1,700 were evacuated, the official added. The towering basilica is one of the top attractions in Spain’s second-largest city, receiving more than 2 million visitors a year.
…

 

[markomalley]

Continuing on with the story:

Local police said a 65-year-old Barcelona resident was arrested after a group of tourists raised the alarm when they saw smoke coming out of the basement of architect Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece and spotted a person running away.

(snip)

Joan Rigol, the president of the basilica’s board of trustees, said the suspect allegedly ignited vestments being stored in the sacristy, where priests put them on in preparation for Mass.

The Catalan police official said the suspect was found in possession of a lighter and pieces of fabric that could be used to start a fire. He added that the fire caused significant damage to the sacristy.
An active Holy Week this year, isn’t it?

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

 

[Dale_M]

An active Holy Week this year, isn’t it?.

Yes, and on seeing the headline I wondered if the arson wasn’t connected to the atheist protests which were scheduled for this week.

But according to other news reports the police describe the man as “disturbed.” And he is 65 years old, while much of the atheist related protests seem to involve much younger persons, particularly college students.

Fortunately, there was no structural damage done to the basilica, although the sacristy suffered badly.
guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/19/gaudi-sagrada-familia-barcelona-evacuated-arson