Spire and Roof of Notre-Dame Cathedral Collapses under Raging Fire
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A massive fire engulfed the spire and roof of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, as it was undergoing €6 million ($6.8 million) in renovation that began in 2017.According to the New York Times, the fireSpire and Roof of Notre-Dame Cathedral Collapses under Raging Fire
A massive fire engulfed the spire and roof of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, as it was undergoing €6 million ($6.8 million) in renovation that began in 2017.According to the New York Times, the fire broke out about 6:30 p.m. on Monday engulfing the cathedral’s spire. The fire further spread to a roof near the spire destroying its stained-glass windows and the wooden interior before causing the spire to fall. The 850-year-old cathedral is currently undergoing renovations.“Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame,” Notre-Dame spokesperson Andre Finot told French media, according to the Associated Press. Some 500 firefighters battled the raging fire for nearly five hours. By 11 p.m. Paris time, the fire chief, Jean-Claude Gallet, said, the structure had been “saved and preserved as a whole.” The two magnificent towers soaring above the skyline had been spared, he said, but two-thirds of the roof was destroyed.According to the Associated Press, the exact cause of the fire was not known, but French media quoted the Paris fire brigade as saying the fire is “potentially linked” to the renovation project on the church’s spire and its 250 tons of lead. The Paris prosecutor’s office ruled out arson and possible terror-related motives, and said it was treating it as an accident.Mayor Anne Hidalgo of Paris tweeted that the city’s fire department and the Diocese of Paris were coordinating their efforts to fight the fire and set up a security perimeter. According to AP, Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire told BFMTV that first responders are trying to save the countless artworks and other valuable objects from within the cathedral.French President Emmanuel Macron treated the catastrophic fire as a national emergency said on Twitter, “Notre-Dame is aflame. Great emotion for the whole nation. Our thoughts go out to all Catholics and to the French people. Like all of my fellow citizens, I am sad to see this part of us burn tonight.” In a brief speech at Notre-Dame on Monday night he said, “The worst has been avoided even though the battle is not completely won,” and vowed that the cathedral would be rebuilt.Deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said emergency services were trying to salvage the famed art pieces stored in the cathedral.US President Donald Trump commented on the fire saying, “It’s one of the great treasures of the world. It’s part of our culture, it’s part of our lives. That is a truly great cathedral and I’ve been there, I’ve seen it, and there is... no cathedral in the world like it. It is a terrible scene.” The president added, “It looks like it’s burning to the ground.”Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, Notre-Dame is one of the finest Gothic architectures and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cathedral is famous for its three large stained-glass rose window that made it one of the most iconic monuments of Paris. Notre-Dame boasts of some of the finest sculptures and paintings that include a Catholic relic, the crown of thorns, which is only occasionally displayed. The cathedral receives almost 13 million visitors each year from around the globe. https://www.blouinartinfo.com/ Founder: Louise Blouin Read more