San Giacomo Church Evacuated After Nativity Scene Set on Fire
A fire that broke out on 25 January 2026 inside San Giacomo in via del Corso in Rome, initially believed to have been caused by a technical malfunction, has since been linked to deliberate arson. Investigators now attribute the fire to a suspect later arrested for attempting to carry flammable materials into St Peter’s Basilica.
The fire occurred shortly after 10 a.m. and destroyed the nativity scene displayed inside the church. Firefighters arrived on the scene, evacuated those present in the parish and brought the fire under control.
At the time, authorities stated that the blaze was likely caused by a short circuit, and investigations were ongoing. Subsequent developments, however, have led prosecutors to reassess the incident.
Following the arrest of a 35-year-old man at St Peter’s Basilica on 2 February 2026 (OIDAC reported), authorities determined that the suspect had deliberately set the fire at San Giacomo in via del Corso. Prosecutors have also linked him to a second arson attack carried out the same morning at San Lorenzo in Lucina (OIDAC reported). The suspect, described by authorities as a known arsonist, is now facing proceedings in connection with the attempted intrusion at the Vatican as well as the earlier church fires.
Source: Agenzianova, ANSA
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