The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requests urgent protection of national treasures after the fire at Pho Quang Pagoda.

On the evening of October 23rd, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a document signed by Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage Pham Dinh Phong, requesting the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Tho province to direct relevant agencies to coordinate with local authorities to urgently conduct an on-site inspection of the relic and immediately take measures to protect the national treasure, the stone Buddhist altar at Pho Quang Pagoda, following the fire on the morning of October 23rd.

Pho Quang Pagoda devastated after the fire. (Photo: Provided by the Department of Cultural Heritage)

According to the Ministry's document, based on reports in some media outlets, the national historical site of Xuan Lung Pagoda in Xuan Lung commune, Lam Thao district, Phu Tho province, has been damaged. on fire at about 10:00 on October 23, 2024.

Regarding this matter, the Department of Cultural Heritage requests the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the province. Phu Tho The authorities are directed to coordinate with local governments to urgently conduct on-site inspections at the relic site, immediately take measures to protect the national treasure, the stone Buddhist altar, and assess the extent of the damage and propose solutions, reporting to the People's Committee of Phu Tho province and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before 10:00 AM on October 24th.

Crews continued to pour water on the fire to cool it down.

At approximately 10:00 AM on October 23rd, Pho Quang Pagoda caught fire. At 10:30 AM, firefighters arrived at the scene and implemented firefighting measures. By 11:30 AM, the fire had been completely extinguished.

The national treasure stone lotus altar was heavily damaged in the fire.

According to a preliminary report on the damage after the fire from the People's Committee of Xuan Lung commune, the temple's facilities were completely destroyed, including the main hall and the system of 27 Buddha statues. The national treasure, the lotus-shaped stone pedestal, had its petals broken. The estimated damage from the fire is approximately 27 billion VND.

Phổ Quang Pagoda is a national historical site over 800 years old, currently preserving a system of ancient statues dating back hundreds of years, and a national treasure: a lotus-shaped stone pedestal.

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