‘A Miracle’: Shroud Of Turin Saved From Fire

Firefighters rescued the Shroud of Turin from a burning cathedral early Saturday, salvaging the linen revered by some Christians as the burial cloth of Jesus Christ.

Dozens of Turin residents applauded firefighters as they took the silver-and-glass reliquary holding the linen out of the San Giovanni cathedral in downtown Turin, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. Others wept at the sight of the badly damaged cathedral dome.

“The linen is intact. It’s a miracle,” said Turin Archbishop Giovanni Saldarini.

To reach the reliquary, firefighter Mario Trematore used a large hammer to break through four layers of bulletproof glass. Other firefighters poured water on the reliquary to keep it cool during his 15-minute effort.

He collapsed as he rushed outside.

“God gave me the strength to break the glass,” he said.

About 200 firefighters took more than four hours to extinguish the fire.

The cause of the fire, which broke out late Friday, was unknown. Police said there were no injuries.