Last night, around 4am, a fire broke out in the sacristy of the Immaculate Conception church, Place de la Ghiere in Saint-Omer. The fire quickly spread to the roof. Under the violence of the flames, the bell tower collapsed shortly after 5am. Firefighters from all over the region are still fighting to contain the fire. No injuries have been reported.
The church, named the cathedral of the suburbs, was completely restored between 2015 and 2018. A mass was celebrated there again on Sunday morning. Among the faithful, as well as the local residents, the emotion is great. Part of the municipal council is on site, as well as Father Roussel and the sub-prefect.
There are two schools on the church square. A private school, Immaculée-Conception, and a public school, Lamartine School. The start of the school year at these two establishments could be disrupted. The national education inspector has just arrived on site. He is talking to the authorities and the directors of the schools concerned.
