Saint-Jory, France – A devastating fire has reduced to ruins the historic château once home to General Agha Petros (Petros Elia of Baz), the famed Assyrian leader of World War I.

The blaze, which broke out in Saint-Jory near Toulouse, left only the outer walls of the residence standing as firefighters battled the flames through the night. Locally known as the "Château Novital" or "Château du Colonel," the abandoned building had long fallen into disrepair and attracted urban explorers. Despite its cultural significance, no preservation efforts were undertaken to protect it or convert it into a museum. For Assyrians, Agha Petros symbolized hopes of national revival after the First World War. Exiled by the British to France, he lived the rest of his life in the château, far from his homeland, while continuing to advocate for Assyrian self-determination. French authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, with arson suspected but not confirmed. The destruction marks not only the loss of a historic structure but also the erasure of a potential site of memory for the Assyrian people. Heritage advocates say the tragedy underscores the urgent need to safeguard historic sites before neglect and disaster erase them forever.