A massive fire ravaged a 19th century basilica in France

 By 
Megan Specia
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

A fire engulfed the roof of a 19th century basilica in Nantes, France, on Monday, causing portions of it to collapse as firefighters battled the blaze.

The fire at the Basilica of Saint Donatien broke out shortly after morning Mass and by the time it was extinguished, only a charred shell of the basilica roof remained.

Photos and videos from the scene show massive flames and plumes of smoke rising over the building.

The fire was apparently sparked accidentally by workers on the roof, according to the local newspaper, Presse Ocean, which reported a similar fire in 1972 that also started during construction.

Art from the basilica was carried out of the burning building as firefighters worked to get the blaze under control.

Les peintures de l'église saint Donatien de #Nantes mises à l'abri après l'incendie. pic.twitter.com/7GzBwREYXO— FranceBleuLoireOcéan (@bleuloireocean) June 15, 2015

Everyone inside was quickly evacuated without injury, the Rev. Benoit Bertrand of the Nantes diocese told France's BFM television.

Hours later, with 90 firefighters and aircraft on the scene, the blaze was brought under control, according to the Nantes fire department.

Some information from the Associated Press.

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