Fire destroys historic church

The Church of Saint Nicholas in the town of Westkapelle in Belgium was destroyed in a fire believed to be started by workmen.

A MASSIVE fire has destroyed a historic church with a amateur video capturing the building's spectacular collapse.

Fire broke out in the tower of the St Nicholas church in Westkapelle, Belgium, on Monday during renovations to the landmark church.

The flames quiclly burned out of control and tore through the church's steeple - visible for miles around the picturesque town - and through the main part of the building.

A passerby captured this dramatic video of the fire that destroyed St Nicholas church in Westkapelle, Belgium.

Within half an hour the spire collapsed.

"When I opened the door, I saw that the tower was on fire," said neighbor Carmen Cantu, who lives just beside the Church, told a local news website.

Firefighters try in vain to being the blaze under control.

"There was a lot of wind, making the fire spread rapidly, up to the front of the Church and inside. The police rang asking me to leave my property."

No-one was hurt in the blaze.

As firefighters watch on helplessly, the church spire begins to collapse.

Within seconds the steeple is gone.

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