Fire erupts in Sagrada Familia

FIRE erupted in a suspected arson attack on Barcelona’s historic Sagrada Familia church, forcing 1,500 tourists to evacuate, officials said.

Firefighters extinguished the fire in the sacristry before it could consume the stonework of Antoni Gaudi’s world-renowned masterpiece, but some furnishings were damaged, they said.

Ambulances ferried away four men working on the church who had inhaled smoke belching out from the blaze in the Barcelona landmark which was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI on November 7 last year.

A “disturbed” man of about 55 is suspected of setting off the fire in the basilica’s sacristy, which was closed to the public at the time, according to church and police officials.

“The structure has not suffered any damage, but there was damage to furniture,” said Barcelona mayor Jordi Hereu, who rushed to the church after the fire.