Fire Rips Through Historic 15Th Century City Hall In La Rochelle

Fire Rips Through Historic 15Th Century City Hall In La Rochelle

Fire broke out at 2pm and is still burning more then three hours later

Believed to have started in the attic of the listed building due to an electrical

Precious furniture and paintings have been saved from the building

A historic French town hall was devastated by fire today after electrical problems sparked a blaze in the 15th-century structure.

Thick clouds of dark grey smoke rose from the turrets of the walled building in La Rochelle around 2pm this afternoon.

Despite 60 firefighters working on the building, the fire is said to still be ablaze more than three hours later, according to TF1.

Firemen work to extinguish the fire that ripped through the picturesque La Rochelle town hall today

The listed building, which combines Gothic and Renaissance architecture is a major tourist attraction and was recently renovated

The extensive damage to the building's large hall lies behind this flame-filled window (left). The roof's beams are exposed in the blaze (right)

The fire is believed to have started in the archive room in the attic of the town hall.

The roof and great hall, which is below the attic have been destroyed by the flames.

No one was injured but the roof was extensively damaged, town hall officials and firefighters told France3.

The building was listed a historic monument in 1861. It has a Gothic outer wall and boasts a tower and a belfry. 

Fire sweeps through historic town hall

A team of 60 firefighters have spent hours battling the fire which is said to still be ablaze

Local reports say the fire was started by an electrical fault in the building's archive room in the attic

Firefighters removed furniture and art works from areas of the burning building that were not yet affected by smoke.

The Gothic building was built in the fifteenth century and listed as a historical monument in 1861. It was recently restored.

No one working in the building or in the surrounding area was injured in the fire.

Cranes were used to tackle the thick dark smoke that rose from the turrets of the beautiful building

Furniture, paintings and other artwork was carried from La Rochelle town hall

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