Paris: A fire destroyed the roof of the royal suite of the 13th-century chateau of Angers, famed for its 17 towers, French officials said. Visitors were evacuated and there were no injuries.

The fire yesterday apparently began in the wood supports under the roof, and was probably accidental, said the prefecture of the Maine-et-Loire region. Some 4,300 square feet of the roof were destroyed, but the 15th century chapel was spared, along with famed tapestries.

Some 50 firefighters worked to douse the flames and help remove tapestries - notably the 16th century tapestry "The Passion" - from two exhibition halls in the royal suite.

The fortress-like chateau dominates the city of Angers, some 300 kilometers south of Paris in the western Loire Valley.

It was built in the 13th century at the demand of St Louis, or King Louis IX. The dukes of Anjou presided there in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Source : PTI