Suspected Arson at Parish Hall in Tergnier While Children Inside Building
A fire broke out at the “Père Jean-Marie Hamel” parish hall in Tergnier, Aisne, on 6 May 2026 while around thirty children were inside attending a religious retreat. The incident is being treated as suspected arson, and two men were taken into police custody as witnesses reported their presence at the scene shortly before the fire.
On 6 May 2026, a fire broke out inside the “Père Jean-Marie Hamel” parish hall in Tergnier, Aisne, a building used for religious preparation activities and parish gatherings. The fire started inside the hall, where a model boat reportedly ignited, but was quickly brought under control before it could spread further.
At the time of the incident, around thirty children were inside participating in a religious profession-of-faith retreat, accompanied by catechists. In another room within the parish complex, preparations for a funeral were also taking place. All those present were safely evacuated, though the situation caused significant shock among those involved.
According to witness accounts, two men were seen outside the building shortly before the fire began, and were later reported fleeing the scene. Both individuals, born in 1988 and 1983, were subsequently detained by police as part of an ongoing investigation into their possible involvement.
The parish priest described the rapid sequence of events and the risk posed to those inside, stating: “The room was filled with around thirty children who were on their confirmation retreat. Evacuated and brought to safety by the ten catechists who were preparing them, they were in shock! (...) We have avoided a tragedy.” He also said: “I deplore the fact that the church could be attacked in this way, but even more so that the lives of the children, the parish volunteers and a bereaved family were put at risk.”
Source: l'Aisne Nouvelle, tribunechretienne, fdesouche
Photo: fdesouche