Strengthening measures to protect national treasures Stone Buddhist altar

VHO - On October 24, following the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, a delegation of officials from the Department of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) was present at the scene of the fire at Pho Quang Pagoda (Xuan Lung Commune, Lam Thao, Phu Tho ). The delegation directly surveyed the scene and inspected and made a preliminary assessment of the damage to the relic. The delegation also had a working session with the Phu Tho Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People's Committee of Xuan Lung Commune.

Estimated damage of about 25 billion VND

According to a quick report from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Tho, at about 9:45 a.m. on October 23, 2024, people in Xuan Lung commune discovered a fire at Pho Quang pagoda (also known as Xuan Lung pagoda) in zone 4, Xuan Lung commune, Lam Thao district, Phu Tho province. Immediately after receiving the news, the People's Committee of Xuan Lung commune notified and mobilized forces and people to be present to rescue, and at the same time reported to the People's Committee of Lam Thao district.

Lam Thao District People's Committee also immediately directed the functional forces to notify Lam Thao Superphosphate and Chemical Joint Stock Company to coordinate in deploying fire trucks, and at the same time report and propose to the Provincial Police to direct the mobilization of fire fighting vehicles and mobilize functional forces to be present at the scene to deploy fire fighting work, ensure security and order, traffic safety, protect the fire scene and conduct initial verification of the cause of the fire. By about 11:40, the fire was controlled and completely extinguished. Currently, the police and functional forces are investigating to clarify the cause of the fire.

National treasure Stone Buddhist altar with broken lotus petals

According to the report, there were no human casualties. The Tam Bao temple, the entire wooden part, the roof tiles, the electrical system were burned down, the system of clay and wooden statues in the Tam Bao temple was damaged by heat; The material facilities in the temple were completely damaged. The total preliminary value of material damage was about 25 billion VND. The national treasure, the stone Buddha altar (lotus stone pedestal), through observation, broke 2 corners of the lotus petals on the 5th floor (top floor) and 1 corner of the lotus petal on the 4th floor. Currently, the commune police force and local militia have blocked off and strictly protected the scene, not allowing unauthorized people to enter or exit; immediately deployed a plan to cover the entire area where the fire occurred, ensuring service for the investigation.

Phu Tho Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that it will continue to review and count the damage caused by the fire; propose plans to renovate and embellish Pho Quang Pagoda, focus on investment, balance budget resources and actively mobilize social resources to carry out the work of renovating and embellishing the relic as soon as possible, meeting the religious needs of the people. In addition, it will strengthen the implementation of measures to protect national treasures; research and propose plans to preserve and protect the national treasure, the Stone Buddha Altar.

Authorities immediately deployed a plan to cover the entire area where the fire occurred, ensuring it served the investigation.

Previously, immediately after information was reported on a number of mass media about the national relic Pho Quang Pagoda (Xuan Lung commune, Lam Thao district, Phu Tho province) being on fire, the Department of Cultural Heritage sent Official Dispatch No. 1171/DSVH-DT to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Tho province, requesting the competent authorities to coordinate with local authorities to urgently inspect the relic and take immediate measures to protect the national treasure, the stone Buddhist altar.

Pho Quang Pagoda is a national historical and cultural relic, ranked in Decision No. 92/VHTT-QD in 1980 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism). The pagoda is over 800 years old, still preserving many valuable relics and antiques, especially the national treasure Stone Buddha Altar. Therefore, immediately after receiving information about the incident, the Department of Cultural Heritage requested the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Tho province to direct the relevant agencies to coordinate with local authorities to urgently conduct a field inspection, especially to immediately take measures to protect this national treasure.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/tang-cuong-cac-bien-phap-bao-ve-bao-vat-quoc-gia-ban-tho-phat-bang-da-109523.html