Ottoman mosque of 15th century in the northeastern Greek Town of Didymoteicho has been damaged due to fire explosion that took place during restoration of the mosque.
Head of fireman of Thrace region Nathanail Rigas stated, “For the moment there is no indication that arson was involved.”
According to sources, Didymoteicho mayor Paraskevas Patsouridis informed, “the Bayezid mosque’s ornate wooden roof was seriously damaged from the fire that broke out early in the morning.”
The entire roof has been destroyed. More than 50 firefighters were involved in putting out the fire.
Local police informed that that a smaller fire had broken out on Tuesday during welding and had been extinguished.
Mayor further added, “There was no work underway when the fire broke out around 0100 GMT.”
The mosque has been built under Sultan Bayezid I and named after him. Although the cultural monument has not been in use for prayers, it has been considered as the largest unique architectural monument with historical importance.