Arson Attack at Church in Ploubalay
On 19 October, two separate fires were deliberately set inside Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Church in Ploubalay. A parishioner who tried to extinguish the flames was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation. The church has been closed until further notice, and the gendarmerie opened an investigation into the case.
The first fire involved a display stand near the church entrance and the second affected leaflets closer to the choir. The fires produced thick smoke inside the building that alerted a parishioner to the fire.
Emergency services responded with around 15 firefighters who extinguished the fires and ventilated the church, preventing a much worse outcome. A parishioner who attempted to put out the flames was taken to hospital after inhaling smoke.
The parish subsequently confirmed that the fire was intentional, stating: "It was indeed arson." The gendarmerie opened an investigation to establish the circumstances and identify those responsible. The church has been indefinitely closed to allow for safety checks.
Sources: tribunechretienne, actu.fr, letelegramme, ouest-france
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