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 LluĂ­s MartĂ­nez 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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