A church in Roques-sur-Garonne, near Toulouse, was targeted in an arson attack after an individual deliberately setting song books sheets on fire in front of the altar inside the Church of Saint-Martin.
An attempted arson attack took place at the Church of Church of Saint-Martin in Roques-sur-Garonne when an individual entered the building and deliberately set fire to liturgical materials in front of the altar.
The fire was started using singing sheets placed at the foot of the altar, which were ignited and left to burn. The flames extinguished themselves before spreading to the church furniture or structure, limiting material damage to the immediate area around the altar.
The incident was discovered later in the day after residents noticed smoke coming from the building, and burnt remains of the liturgical documents were later found inside. According to initial findings, the fire was clearly set at the central area of worship, the altar, before the perpetrator left the scene.
Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the identity and motive of the individual responsible. No arrests have been made so far. The incident is being treated as a deliberate act of arson inside a place of worship.