A fire at a historic French church destroyed nearly everything in its path including an organ over 150-years-old.
The Catholic News Agency reports that fire broke out in the early morning hours of Sept. 2 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Saint-Omer, in northern France. "According to local authorities, the fire started at around 4 a.m.," the CNA says. "It then spread to the side and central aisles, then to the roof and bell tower, which rapidly collapsed. The fire was contained by 7:15 a.m. thanks to the efforts of 120 firefighters."
Slipped Disc reports that the church's 1861 Merklin organ was destroyed in the fire.
Organ builder Joseph Merklin built the organ for the then two-year-old church.
Despite several historic items being destroyed by the fire, the church's Blessed Sacrament survived thanks to a priest who entered the burning building, according to media reports.
Investigators say the cause of the fire appears to be arson. A 39-year-old man has been arrested and detained in custody in relation to the blaze