Germany: Church torched in Muslim stronghold Gelsenkirchen – Before the fire started, witnesses had seen youths running away

Gepostet von Fred Alan Medforth am Montag, 5. April 2021

Thick smoke rises from the windows of the sacristy of the church of St. Mary’s Assumption in the Rotthausen district of Gelsenkirchen. Shortly afterwards, the flames spread to the roof truss.

Major operation for the fire brigade!

Around 7.15 p.m. on Easter Monday, the fire rescuers were called to the scene on the street Beethovenstraße. At least 80 firefighters were deployed with three turntable ladders. In order to ensure optimal fighting of the flames at great heights, an articulated mast platform from the plant fire brigade of BP Gelsenkirchen was also called in for support.

Fire brigade spokesman Carsten Jost (46): “The fire started in the sacristy and spread to the roof truss. The deployment will continue for several hours.”

The church building has been empty for about ten years and is no longer used.

The police had already been called to the church twice before. A door was open, but the officers closed it as best they could. Was it arson? Shortly before the fire broke out, witnesses had seen young people running away.

https://www.bild.de/regional/ruhrgebiet/ruhrgebiet-aktuell/gelsenkirchen-feuer-in-kirche-75967642.bild.html