In the late afternoon of Thursday 9 March, deliberately set fires were discovered in the Saints-Pierre-et-Paul church in Eguisheim, Haut Rhin, France. A volunteer noticed the fires on the tablecloths of two altars near the choir and on a confessional curtain. A book of intentions was also burned.
The incident caused shock among the local population and the Christian community. The gendarmerie are currently looking for the perpetrator(s) and have launched an appeal for witnesses.
The volunteer was able to put out the fires himself before calling the gendarmes. Although the risk of the fire spreading to the building seems limited, it cannot be ruled out. The damage was minimal, but there is no doubt that it was deliberate.