Fire at 800-year-old Pho Quang Pagoda: 25 billion VND in damage, lotus stone pedestal treasure burned

The fire destroyed the Tam Bao building at Pho Quang Pagoda, Xuan Lung Commune, Lam Thao District, Phu Tho. The national treasure, a lotus stone pedestal, had its petals broken; 27 Buddha statues were completely burned down along with all the facilities in the pagoda.

The People's Committee of Xuan Lung Commune, Lam Thao District, Phu Tho Province this afternoon, October 23, issued a quick report on the fire at Pho Quang Pagoda in this commune that occurred the same morning. Accordingly, at about 9:45 a.m. on October 23, after receiving reports from local residents about the fire at Pho Quang Pagoda, the People's Committee of Xuan Lung Commune notified and mobilized forces to respond, and at the same time reported to the People's Committee of Lam Thao District and the district's functional agencies.

However, when the commune officials arrived at the scene, the fire was already burning high, accompanied by a column of smoke rising high. While waiting for the fire department to arrive, the authorities used on-site equipment to handle the fire. At around 10:30, the fire department arrived at the scene and carried out professional firefighting measures, and by 11:30 the fire was completely extinguished.

According to Lam Thao District Electronic Information Portal, Pho Quang Pagoda (Xuan Lung Pagoda) was built around the beginning of the Tran Dynasty, and underwent many renovations, the largest renovation in the early 17th century - 1629. Xuan Lung Pagoda was ranked as a national monument in 1980.

The overall architectural plan of Xuan Lung Pagoda includes: Tam Quan - bell tower, stele house, Tam Bao building. Tam Bao building has the shape of the letter Cong, including: Bai Duong, Thieu Huong and Chinh Dien. The wooden frame structure with the roof trusses is made in the style of "Thuong gia gong, cuong ruong - ha ke". Xuan Lung Pagoda currently preserves more than 30 wooden and earthen statues, arranged on a built pedestal.

Damage statistics show that the fire burned down the Tam Bao building; the national treasure, the lotus stone pedestal, had its petals broken. At the same time, 27 Buddha statues were completely burned down along with all the facilities in the temple. The total damage is estimated at about 25 billion VND.

Currently, the authorities are investigating, verifying and clarifying the cause of the fire. Regarding the handling of this fire, this afternoon, the Department of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) sent a document to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Tho province requesting that the authorities coordinate with local authorities to urgently inspect the site, take immediate measures to protect the National Treasure, the Stone Buddha Altar, assess the extent of damage and propose a solution.

The report must be completed and sent to the People's Committee of Phu Tho province and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, October 24. Pho Quang Pagoda was built more than 800 years ago in the shape of the letter Cong, with tiled roofs and two levels. The pagoda was ranked as a National Historical and Cultural Relic in 1980, preserving many valuable relics and antiques, especially the stone Buddha altar from the Tran Dynasty with unique motifs and patterns, which was recognized as a National Treasure in 2021.

According to statistics of Xuan Lung Commune People's Committee, the facilities in the Tam Bao temple of Pho Quang pagoda include: National treasures are 1 Buddha Stone altar; statues include: 3 statues of Tam The, 1 statue of Quan Am, 1 statue of Dai The Chi, 1 statue of Van Thu, 1 statue of Pho Hien; 1 stone statue of Sakyamuni; 1 Jade Emperor; 2 Dharma protectors; 1 Nam Tao, 1 Bac Dau; 1 Cuu Long throne; 4 Tu Dai Thien Vuong; 1 Duoc Su throne; 2 Dharma protectors; 1 Duc Ong altar with 3 statues; 1 Thanh Tang altar with 3 statues; 4 Dong Son Trang; 1 horizontal lacquered board and parallel sentences; 4 horizontal lacquered boards, 2 parallel sentences; 17 incense bowls on each altar; 1 wooden bench placed on a lotus stone pedestal; 2 sets of opera; 3 wooden lamps; 2 sets of bronze lamps; 1 set of bronze incense burners.

Vụ cháy chùa Phổ Quang: Bảo vật quốc gia bị vỡ nát, thiệt hại 25 tỷ kinh hoàng Gia Nhi11:12:21 24/10/2024Dân cư mạng đang vô cùng bàng hoàng trước thông tin về vụ cháy ở chùa Phổ Quang, tỉnh Phú Thọ. Đáng tiếc là thiệt hại về của, khi bảo vật quốc gia bị gãy tan nát, ngoài ra tổng thiệt hại tính thành tiền lên đến 25 tỷ đồng.