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Nantes cathedral fire: Church volunteer rearrested over arson Nantes cathedral fire: Volunteer admits starting blaze, says lawyer
(about 8 hours later)
A church volunteer has been rearrested in connection with a fire that devastated the cathedral in the French city of Nantes. A church volunteer has admitted starting a fire that devastated the cathedral in the French city of Nantes last week, his lawyer has said.
A prosecutor quoted by Le Monde said the suspect - a Rwandan refugee who worked as a warden at the cathedral - had admitted causing the fire. The Rwandan refugee, who worked as a warden at the cathedral, was rearrested on Saturday night.
His lawyer told another newspaper that the man "bitterly regrets" his actions. No motive for the fire, which destroyed the cathedral's 17th Century organ as well as historic stained-glass windows, has been given.
The fire destroyed the cathedral's 17th Century organ as well as historic stained-glass windows. His lawyer told reporters his client felt "relief" after confessing.
"It's someone who is scared, who is somehow overwhelmed," his lawyer, Quentin Chabert, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
The 39-year-old volunteer, who has not been named, was initially detained for questioning after the blaze but then released without charge.The 39-year-old volunteer, who has not been named, was initially detained for questioning after the blaze but then released without charge.
He had been in charge of locking up the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral the day before the fire on 18 July. He had been in charge of locking up the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral the day before the blaze on 18 July.
Le Monde said the man had been been questioned again on Saturday and that prosecutors had placed him in custody. Officials had previously said that the fire was believed to have been arson and had been started in three different places.
Prosecutor Pierre Sennès said that the suspect now admitted being responsible for the fire, according to Le Monde. Officials had previously said that the fire was believed to have been arson and had been started in three different places. Nantes prosecutor Pierre Sennes said on Saturday that the man had been charged with "destruction and damage by fire" and could face up to 10 years in prison and €150,000 ($175,000; £135,000) in fines, according to the AFP news agency.
The man's lawyer, Quentin Chabert, was quoted by Ocean Presse as saying that his client regretted his actions, adding: "My client co-operated." Around 100 firefighters managed to stop the flames from destroying the main structure at the cathedral. French Prime Minister Jean Castex praised their "professionalism, courage and self-control".
About 100 firefighters managed to stop the flames from destroying the main structure at the cathedral. French Prime Minister Jean Castex praised their "professionalism, courage and self-control". The fire comes about 15 months after a blaze nearly destroyed Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The fire comes over a year after a blaze nearly destroyed Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.