Rwandan refugee accused of setting fire to the Nantes Cathedral

Rwandan refugee with no previous criminal record has been arrested after admitting causing a fire that broke out in three parts of the 15th Century Gothic cathedral on July 18.

According to the French authorities, the rector of Nantes cathedral, Father Hubert Champenois had given the 39-year-old man who came to France as a refugee several years ago the task of locking up the cathedral.

For his part, the Prosecutor Pierre Sennes said that three fires were reported at the site with no signs of a break-in.

The blaze that began on Saturday morning overwhelmed the Gothic structure, destroying stained glass windows and the 17th-century grand organ which was the main attraction of the cathedral.

The prosecutor added that the suspect could be handed a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of up to €150,000 euros.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, came to Nantes to praise the firefighters on the day of the suspected arson.

The French President Emmanuel Macron also praised the emergency effort for saving what he dramatically described as the “jewel of the city of the Dukes”.

SS