On July 18th, 2020, a fire has damaged the St Peter and St Paul Gothic Cathedral in Nantes, dating back to the 15th century, The fire appeared to be malicious in nature, since three triggers appear to have been found.

Image showing the interior of the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul after the 18th July 2020 fire- Image: Department of Fire and Rescue SDIS 44

The fire erupted on the morning of July 18, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. Local firefighters swiftly responded to the scene, battling the flames that engulfed the cathedral’s grand organ and shattered its stained glass windows. The most significant damage was suffered by the organ, from the seventeenth century. In any case, the firefighters intervened in force and prevented the fire from spreading to the rest of the building.

While the Nantes Cathedral’s fire was not as catastrophic as the Notre-Dame incident, it reignited debates about the vulnerability of historic landmarks and the importance of safeguarding these cultural treasures.

Image showing the organ of St Peter and St Paul, destroyed by the 18th July 2020 fire– Image: Department of Fire and Rescue SDIS 44

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