A large hall in Ta Bet Pagoda located in Kien Giang province’s Chau Thanh district caught fire in early morning on July 19, damaging as many as 150 Buddhist statues.
According to Ven. Danh Pu, Abbot of Ta Bet pagoda, the incident happened at 03h30 after an explosion when monks were still asleep. As soon as the fire was detected, Monk Danh Pu, Buddhists and mobilized locals used water for stopping it. It took more than an hour to control the fire.
Damages to Buddhist statues, decorations and other worshipping objects were estimated at VND 600 million.
Ven. Danh Pu informed that the lighting candle at night in the hall was initially regarded as the main cause of the fire. The hall called ‘Van Duong’ built in 1994 has a total area of 432 square meters and used as the eating place for monks as well as venue for Buddhists to perform services.
As reported, concerning provincial authorities came to the pagoda on July 21 for inspecting the destruction and impacts caused to the hall and finding the real cause of the fire.
A man tries to stop the burning with water.
Ta Bet pagoda also called for support from donors in order to recover losses and restore damages caused to the hall.
PTT
