Fire Scorches Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain

A 65-year-old man with a lighter was detained after allegedly starting a fire in Barcelona's Sagrada Familia Basilica.Sagrada Familia, the still unfinished architectural masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi, was consecrated as a basilica during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Spain in November of 2010.

VALENCIA, Spain (Catholic Online) - An alleged arsonist set fire to Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) Basilica in Barcelona, Spain, midmorning on April 19. 

The blaze damaged the sacristy in the basilica´s crypt and forced evacuation amid dense smoke.

More than 1,000 visitors were evacuated and several were treated for smoke inhalation.

A 65-year-old man with a lighter still in hand was restrained by a group of ten tourists and turned over to local police, reported the Spanish daily La Razon. 

Barcelona Cardinal Lluís Martínez Sistach congratulated firefighters and security personnel for their quick response.

Sagrada Familia, the still unfinished architectural masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi, was consecrated as a basilica during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Spain in November of 2010.

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Brother Randall Meissen, author of Living Miracles: The Spiritual Sons of John Paul the Great, writes from Valencia, Spain.

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