Massive fire breaks out in Notre Dame cathedral in Paris
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A massive fire broke out at the famed Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Monday afternoon, officials said.
Black smoke could be seen from a distance billowing out from the top of the medieval cathedral, while flames leaped out from two of its bell towers. The sight stopped pedestrians in their tracks along the Seine River, which passes under the cathedral.
A dramatic video showed the cathedral's main spire collapsed from the blaze. Local reports said the roof collapsed.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo called it a "terrible fire." No injuries have been reported.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire. Notre Dame was undergoing a $6.8 million renovation project, with some sections under scaffolding, while bronze statues were removed last week for works
Sources told Fox News that it appears the fire was related to recent construction done at the cathedral.
President Emmanuel Macron canceled a planned televised speech to the nation in light of the "terrible fire" underway at the cathedral, an official at the president's Elysee office said.
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
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Sad. The middle spire or tower fell.
Shame about any paintings or fresco's etc that might be lost
Wow, not good. Hate seeing old structures go up like that.
You would think they could get some helicopters and dump some flame retardant on there, or something.
Too much collateral damage would incur.
Hope the Hunch Back got out.
Oh my God, how awful. Isn't that thing mostly stone? What is it that's burning?
Edit: Apparently, part of it was under construction/renovation and the scaffolding is burning. Wow.
13,000 oak trees were used in the construction of the Cathedral, used as structural beams for the massive roof. This is what is known as the "Forest of Notre-Dame".
Yes, I'm seeing that in the TV coverage. Amazing. I am sorry I won't get to see it now.
They'll rebuild, although that could take longer that you and I have left
but they'll be able to rebuild faster than the original took. I heard this afternoon that it took 200 years to complete the original building of this. Amazing multi-generational training and work.
fixed the # of years, I had heard earlier that it was 100 years but I was wrong.
Possibly modern techniques could speed some parts along, but there is a lot of hand carved stone work to be done, not to mention the frescos, stained glass and such
This is horrible. Wonder how it started...candles?
Given it is undergoing renovation the cause could be anything, oily rags, candles, oxy acetylene torch, even arson
One article said it's being treated as an accident related to construction work.
this is not going to look good on the general contractors resume...
Yeah. Even if it was something that was difficult to avoid - old, poorly installed electrical wiring, for example, their name's still on the work vans.
All the insurance in the world won't cover the company responsible. And if it were one person with an acetylene torch - can you imagine what that would feel like, being the person who burned down much of the Cathedral?
I've heard that the cause may have been electrical, but I didn't see confirmation. I also heard that the cathedral and other Parisian historic places don't have insurance, because the cost would be astronomical.
Thanks for posting that info, Texan1211.
It's early, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was chemicals related to the restoration. For example, something as simple as a rag soaked with linseed oil (commonly used to treat wood) and left to sit out will, given time, spontaneously combust.
Thank you for the photos.
No sprinklers installed, or other fire suppression methods available??
At some point, a garden hose probably could have put it out.
Much of the Cathedral is over 226 feet up in the air, with a 300 foot spire.
Most fire departments ladder trucks are only 105 footers,
the largest is only 137 feet.
They were handicapped by the size of the building itself.
Such a tremendous loss.
It took almost 200 years to complete the construction of this building. Medievil churches were often updated and added on to as architects and artists and the religious hierarchy kept coming up with new ways to improve them and add to the expression of glory to God.
Notre Dame Cathedral is more than three times older than the United States of America.
Ah, you are correct. I had heard earlier that it was 100 years to build, noticed your post and double-checked. You are correct.
So sad.
Holding back tears as I watch at work.
What a loss to history. I was so lucky to have seen it.
One of the most iconic building in the world...Hopefully some of it can be saved along with art work etc.
Notre Dame fire: horrific damage but main structure saved
Thank you for posting updates.
This building was standing and completed 431 years before the USA existed. That's a lot of history. Really effing sad.
All the statues and the stained glass windows that will be lost.
They are saying the outside facade will probably stand. It will be gutted though.
One need not be a Catholic, French or a Parisienne to be saddened by such a loss - it is an icon of our civilization. How can one even think of the word Paris and not visualize the cathedral and the Eiffel Tower?
"We'll always have Paris...."
Well said, Buzz. Anyone who appreciates art and history understands that the impact of this fire transcends religion, nationality, and politics.
Interesting. Yesterday saw an interview with Steve Bannon who is at war with and trying to destroy The Pope and the Catholic Church.
In the interview, Bannon stated that the 'election of Trump' was aided with ( divine intervention ).
Is the destruction of this historic edifice a message from God...……..or gawd?
Leave politics out of this seed.
The day following Palm Sunday, in Holy Week and the same week culminating in Easter Sunday the loss of this great historic Cathedral built in 1160 is a huge misfortune for follows of the Roman Catholic tradition.
Made most famous by the Victor Hugo novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame it is a loss to the faithful of this fine noble tradition.
The hearts of all humankind go out to its followers, and to the French People.
Be of good cheer.
It will be renovated and restored.
Peace and Abundant Blessings Always.
Enoch.
I read that maybe they could salvage a bunch of the statues because they were made of marble.
Due to the renovation work, they had removed some of the statues just 4 days before the fire.
WOW: The Cross Is Still Standing in Notre Dame
Source: AP Photo/Lori Hinant
The Notre Dame cathedral, one of the most iconic structures in Paris, will never be the same, having largely succumbed to an out of control fire Monday evening. The spire was the first thing to collapse, followed by the entire roof.
Yet, the first photos capturing the inside of the 850-year-old cathedral revealed an incredible sight. The cross is still standing.
In fact, most of the interior appears to have been preserved. Un miracle incroyable.
Notre Dame's bell tower and main structure have also reportedly been spared.
There have been other inspiring sights on the streets of Paris tonight, including the moment a group of bystanders broke out in song and prayer.
French President Emmanuel Macron was somber, yet steadfast in his speech tonight outside the cathedral. He vowed that France would rebuild Notre Dame because it's their "destiny." The leader announced an international fundraising campaign to help with the effort.
Recommended from Townhall. https://townhall.com/tipsheet/cortneyobrien/2019/04/15/wow-cross-is-still-standing-in-notre-dame-n2544828
Thanks for another update. I've also heard that the organ is salvageable, too.
Sad really. I hope there is an investigation into this that is devoid of any type of political nonsense.
This my sound trivial and maybe ridiculous but I learned a wonderful term and understood it because of the structure. A time when what we often call stupid people were doing wonderful and magnificent things.
The term flying buttress, a series of external arching braces held the cathedral structure in place to prevent from collapsing. "Stupid" people coming up with magnificent solutions.
Really sad to see this.
My mind ventures back to times in the history of the Gauls. Of course most will remember Vercingetorix. One who would not drink the cool aid of of Julius Caesar.
Another, maybe even more noteworthy Gaul come to mind. Can't think of his name and google doesn't always drill down very well these days. Anyhow, the was the fella who stopped Atilla the Hun. Unless Google has been totally corrupted and parts of history re-written again, this Gaul fella's sister was killed by Attila and cohorts. To say this fella was not pleased was an understatement.
He was pissed. Pretty damn pissed. He rallied some troops and went after Attila. Tough back and forth battle. In the end this Gaul fella and his team ruthlessly slaughtered Attila's "troups". Marched the survivors back to Hun land and declared "you guys show up in our back yard again and we will take all of you out". Modern translation.
Sad to see Notre Dame burn. Let the investigation go unhindered.
Some clarification regarding what has been saved and what is still questionable: