Fire Set to Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Country: Spain

Date of incident: April 19, 2011


On April 19, 2011 hundred of tourists were evacuated from one of the most popular places of worship in the world, the Sagrada Familia Basilica, in Barcelona. A fire was intentionally started at the sacristy, and a 65 year old man was arrested in possession of a lighter and pieces of fabrics that could have been used to set the fire. No major damage was reported to Gaudi´s masterpiece. The fire burnt for about 45 minutes according to El Pais newspaper. While the fire was set up intentionally, the reasons for the attack remain unknown. Media reported the man to be “gravely disturbed”. It is clear whether the fire setting was an intentional attack against Christianit or not.

Sources: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13131352 http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/04/19/spain.church.fire/index.html?iref=allsearch http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/8461262/Fire-by-suspected-arsonist-at-Sagrada-Familia.html http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=41117 http://moralyluces.wordpress.com/2011/04/23/incendio-en-la-sacristia-de-la-sagrada-familia/ http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/hombre/incendia/cripta/Sagrada/Familia/elpepiesp/20110420elpepinac_14/Tes