Sagrada Familia reopens after blaze
Man of 65 arrested for suspected arson attack in the basilica
The Sagrada Familia, Gaudí's monumental basilica in Barcelona, reopened at 4.45pm on Tuesday after a fire broke out inside the crypt earlier that morning, prompting 1,500 visitors to be evacuated from the building.
A 65-year-old man was arrested for starting the blaze after he was seen holding several cigarette lighters up to the vestments kept inside the crypt, said the chairman of the Sagrada Familia trust, Joan Rigol. A group of tourists reportedly tackled the man and held him until the authorities arrived.
Firefighters took 45 minutes to put out the flames. No injuries were reported.
The city's security chief, Assumpta Escarp, said it was not yet time to reconsider safety measures but a CiU leader, Xavier Trias, called for "upping surveillance with great discretion."
