19th Century Basillica catches fire in France

A 19^th century basilica in Nantes, France, has been engulfed by flames that have reduced the roof of the iconic structure into a shell.

French news outlets are reporting that the Saint-Donatien-und-Saint-Rogatien church caught fire after Monday mass necessitating worshipers to be evacuated.

Reverend Benoit Bertrand of the Nantes diocese says that valuable pictures and other church art inside the building have been saved despite the unimaginable extent of damage in the historic structure.

Dramatic pictures by Reuters show the top of the Basilica engulfed in flames as dark smoke billowed above with speculations pointing out that the fire might have originated from the roof where work was being carried out.

More than 75 fighters are reportedly deployed as they try to extinguish the flames assisted by an aircraft.

The basilica dates back to the 19th Century and is dedicated to St Donatien and St Rogatien;  two young martyrs who refused to renounce their Christian faith.

The other basilica in Nantes, Cathedral of Saint Pierre and Saint Paul, suffered from a similar roof fire in 1972 just 28 years after being damaged during World War Two.