The What Pho, the largest Buddhist temple in France, located in Breux-Jouy (Essonne), was partly destroyed on the night of Friday to Saturday July 12 by a fire, learned the France-Presse (AFP) agency of concordant sources.
Fifteen monks have been evacuated, three of which are placed under respirator due to inhaled smoke, as well as two gendarmes, according to a source within the gendarmerie.
The fire, of electric origin, broke out around 10:30 p.m. Friday evening, according to the same source. The fire was extinguished around 3 am on Saturday. The roof collapsed, this source said.
In total, almost 500 square meters, including 300 square meters of roof and 200 square meters on the ground floor of the building were burned, according to the firefighters. Inaugurated in November 2023, this spiritual center installed in the Essonnian commune of 1,300 inhabitants is considered to be the largest Buddhist temple in France.
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