Fire devastates Notre-Dame Cathedral, centuries-old Parisian landmark

[webfact]

Fire devastates Notre-Dame Cathedral, centuries-old Parisian landmark

By Sybille de La Hamaide and Julie Carriat

 

Smoke billows from Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out, in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

 

PARIS (Reuters) - Notre-Dame Cathedral went up in flames on Monday in a roaring blaze that devastated the Parisian landmark, a searing loss for the city and for France.

 

Flames that began in the early evening burst rapidly through the roof of the centuries-old cathedral and engulfed the spire, which collapsed, quickly followed by the entire roof.

 

Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

 

A huge plume of smoke wafted across the city and ash fell over a large area. Parisians watched on, many of them lost for words.

 

"Like all our compatriots, I am sad this evening to see this part of all of us burn," President Emmanuel Macron tweeted.

 

"Basically the whole rooftop is gone. I see no hope for the building," said witness Jacek Poltorak, watching the fire from a fifth-floor balcony two blocks from the southern facade of the cathedral, one of France's most visited sites.

 

Firefighters tried to contain the blaze with water hoses and cleared the area around Notre-Dame, which sits on an island in the River Seine and marks the very centre of Paris. Witnesses said the whole island was being evacuated.

 

Nobody was injured, junior interior minister Laurent Nunez said at the scene, adding: "It's too early to determine the causes of the fire."

 

The Paris prosecutor's office said it had launched an inquiry into the fire. France 2 television reported that police were treating it as an accident.

 

"Everything is collapsing," a police officer near the scene said as the cathedral continued to burn.

 

Macron, who cancelled an address to the nation that he had been due to give on Monday evening, went to the scene of the blaze.

 

SYMBOL OF PARIS

The cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century, features in Victor Hugo's classic novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame". It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts millions of tourists every year.

 

"I have a lot of friends who live abroad and every time they come I tell them to go to Notre-Dame," said witness Samantha Silva, with tears in her eyes.

 

"I've visited it so many times, but it will never be the same. It's a real symbol of Paris."

 

Smoke billows from the Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out, in Paris, France, April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Julie Carriat

 

The cathedral was in the midst of renovations, with some sections under scaffolding, and bronze statues were removed last week for works.

 

Built over a century starting in 1163, Notre-Dame is considered to be among the finest examples of French Gothic cathedral architecture.

 

Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

 

It is renowned for its rib vaulting, flying buttresses and stunning stained glass windows, as well as its many carved stone gargoyles.

 

Its 100-metre-long (330-foot) roof, of which a large section was consumed in the first hour of the blaze, was one of the oldest such structures in Paris, according to the cathedral’s website.

 

"There are a lot of art works inside ... it's a real tragedy," Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo told reporters at the scene.

 

Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

 

A centre of Roman Catholic faith, over the centuries Notre-Dame has also been a target of political upheaval.

 

It was ransacked by rioting Protestant Huguenots in the 16th century, pillaged again during the French Revolution of the 1790s and left in a state of semi-neglect. Hugo’s 1831 work led to revived interest in the cathedral and a major – partly botched – restoration that began in 1844.

 

The wood-and-lead spire was built during that restoration, according to the cathedral's website.

 

UNESCO said in a tweet it was "closely monitoring the situation and is standing by France's side to safeguard and restore this invaluable heritage".

 

(Reporting by Sybille de la Hamaide and Julie Carriat; Additional reporting by Leigh Thomas, Simon Carraud, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Michel Rose, Emmanuel Jarry, Jean-Baptiste Vey, Marine Pennetier, Sarah White, Tim Hepher, Laurence Frost; Writing by Robin Pomeroy; Editing by Frances Kerry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-04-16

 

 

 

 

 

[JimmyTheMook]

Really a shame, hope Paris can weather this blow to their iconic city.

[Nyezhov]

Sad day for humanity

[webfact]

Blaze devastates Notre-Dame; Paris firefighters fear for one bell tower

By Sybille de La Hamaide and Julie Carriat

 

Smoke billows from Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out, in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

 

PARIS (Reuters) - A massive fire consumed Notre-Dame Cathedral on Monday, destroying the roof of the historic Paris landmark in a roaring blaze as firefighters battled to prevent one of the main bell towers from collapsing.

 

Flames that began in the early evening burst rapidly through the roof of the centuries-old cathedral and engulfed the spire, which toppled, quickly followed by the entire roof.

 

Distraught Parisians and stunned tourists gazed in disbelief as the inferno raged. Thousands of onlookers lined bridges over the River Seine and along its embankments, held at a distance by a police cordon.

 

"We're not certain yet that we'll be able to stop the fire from spreading to the northern belfry," a firefighting official told reporters.

 

World leaders expressed shock and sent condolences to the French people. President Emmanuel Macron said the whole nation was distressed. "Like all our compatriots, I am sad this evening to see this part of all of us burn," he tweeted.

 

A huge plume of smoke wafted across the city and ash fell over a large area. People watching gasped as the spire folded over onto itself and fell into the inferno.

 

At around 1930 GMT, nearly three hours after the fire started, a Fire Department spokesman said the next 90 minutes would be crucial in seeing if the blaze could be contained.

 

"Basically the whole rooftop is gone. I see no hope for the building," said witness Jacek Poltorak, watching the fire from a fifth-floor balcony two blocks from the southern facade of the cathedral, one of France's most visited sites.

 

Firefighters tried to contain the blaze with water hoses and cleared the area around Notre-Dame, which sits on an island in the River Seine and marks the very centre of Paris. Witnesses said the whole island, the Ile de la Cite, was being evacuated.

 

Nobody was injured, junior interior minister Laurent Nunez said at the scene, adding: "It's too early to determine the causes of the fire."

 

The Paris prosecutor's office said it had launched an inquiry into the fire. Several police sources said that they were working on the assumption for now that the fire was accidental.

 

"Everything is collapsing," a police officer near the scene said as the cathedral continued to burn.

 

Macron, who cancelled an address to the nation that he had been due to give on Monday evening, went to the scene of the blaze and talked to officials trying to contain it.

 

The French Civil Security service, possibly responding to U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion that firefighters "act quickly" and employ flying water tankers, said that was not an option as it might destroy the entire building.

 

"Helicopter or plane, the weight of the water and the intensity of dropping it at low altitude could weaken the structure of Notre-Dame and cause collateral damage to surrounding buildings," it tweeted.

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the cathedral a "symbol of France and our European culture". British Prime Minister Theresa May said her thoughts were with the French people and emergency services fighting the "terrible blaze".

 

The Vatican said the fire at the "symbol of Christianity in France and in the world" had caused shock and sadness and said it was praying for the firefighters.

 

SYMBOL OF PARIS

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said at the scene that some of many artworks that were in the cathedral had been taken out and were being put in safe storage.

 

The cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century, features in Victor Hugo's classic novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame". It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts millions of tourists every year.

 

It is a focal point for French Roman Catholics who like Christians around the world are celebrating Holy Week, marking the death and resurrection of Jesus.

 

The archbishop of Paris called on all priests in Paris to ring church bells as a gesture of solidarity for Notre-Dame.

 

"I have a lot of friends who live abroad and every time they come I tell them to go to Notre-Dame," said witness Samantha Silva, with tears in her eyes.

 

"I've visited it so many times, but it will never be the same. It's a real symbol of Paris."

 

The cathedral was in the midst of renovations, with some sections under scaffolding, and bronze statues were removed last week for works.

 

Built over a century starting in 1163, Notre-Dame is considered to be among the finest examples of French Gothic cathedral architecture.

 

It is renowned for its rib vaulting, flying buttresses and stunning stained glass windows, as well as its many carved stone gargoyles.

 

Its 100-metre-long (330-foot) roof, of which a large section was consumed in the first hour of the blaze, was one of the oldest such structures in Paris, according to the cathedral’s website.

 

A centre of Roman Catholic faith, over the centuries Notre-Dame has also been a target of political upheaval.

 

It was ransacked by rioting Protestant Huguenots in the 16th century, pillaged again during the French Revolution of the 1790s and left in a state of semi-neglect. Hugo’s 1831 work led to revived interest in the cathedral and a major – partly botched – restoration that began in 1844.

 

The wood-and-lead spire was built during that restoration, according to the cathedral's website.

 

"Notre-Dame belonged to all humanity. What a tragic spectacle," tweeted Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Union's executive Commission.

 

"What horror. I share the French nation's sadness."

 

(Reporting by Sybille de la Hamaide and Julie Carriat; Additional reporting by Leigh Thomas, Simon Carraud, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Michel Rose, Emmanuel Jarry, Jean-Baptiste Vey, Marine Pennetier, Sarah White, Tim Hepher, Laurence Frost in Paris, Kylie MacLellan in London, Paul Carrel in Berlin, Philip Pullella in Rome; Writing by Robin Pomeroy; Editing by Frances Kerry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-04-16

[gunderhill]

43 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

Sad day for humanity

its  just  a  building  not an  earthquake, smallpox or  plague  is  a  sad  day.

[Oleolf]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47942786

 

It's a bit more than "just a building". I'm not religious but this is certainly a very sad moment. A historic and majestic symbol has been mostly destroyed.

[webfact]

Fire guts Paris' Notre-Dame, but structure saved from destruction

By Sybille de La Hamaide and Julie Carriat

 

Sparks fill the air as Paris Fire brigade members spray water to extinguish flames as the Notre Dame Cathedral burns in Paris, France, April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

 

PARIS (Reuters) - A massive fire consumed Notre-Dame Cathedral on Monday, gutting and destroying the roof of the Paris landmark and stunning France and the world, but firefighters said they had saved the shell of the stone structure from collapse.

 

Flames that began in the early evening burst rapidly through the roof of the centuries-old cathedral and engulfed the spire, which toppled, quickly followed by the entire roof.

 

(GRAPHIC: Map and timeline -

 

As it burned into the evening, firefighters battled to prevent one of the main bell towers from collapsing. One firefighter was seriously injured - the only reported casualty.

 

"We now believe that the two towers of Notre-Dame have been saved," Paris fire chief Jean-Claude Gallet told reporters at the scene. "We now consider that the main structure of Notre-Dame has been saved and preserved."

 

There was still a risk that some of the interior structures could collapse, and firefighters would work overnight to cool them down, he said.

 

Distraught Parisians and stunned tourists gazed in disbelief as the inferno raged at the cathedral, which sits on the Ile de la Cite, an island in the River Seine and marks the very centre of Paris.

 

(GRAPHIC: 3D diagram of Notre-Dame -  

 

Thousands of onlookers lined bridges over Seine and along its embankments, held at a distance by a police cordon.

 

World leaders expressed shock and sent condolences to the French people. President Emmanuel Macron said the whole nation was distressed. "Like all our compatriots, I am sad this evening to see this part of all of us burn," he tweeted.

 

A huge plume of smoke wafted across the city and ash fell over a large area. People watching gasped as the spire folded over onto itself and fell into the inferno.

 

Firefighters battled smoke and falling drops of molten lead to salvage priceless artworks and relics.

 

A centuries-old crown of thorns made from reeds and gold and the tunic worn by Saint Louis, a 13th century king of France, were saved, Notre-Dame's top administrative cleric, Monsignor Patrick Chauvet said. But firefighters had struggled to take down some of the large paintings in time, he said.

 

The Paris prosecutor's office said it had launched an inquiry into the fire. Several police sources said that they were working on the assumption for now that it was accidental.

 

"Everything is collapsing," a police officer near the scene said as the cathedral continued to burn.

 

Macron, who cancelled an address to the nation that he had been due to give on Monday evening, went to the scene of the blaze and talked to officials trying to contain it.

 

The French Civil Security service, possibly responding to U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion that firefighters "act quickly" and employ flying water tankers, said that was not an option as it might destroy the entire building.

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the cathedral a "symbol of France and our European culture". British Prime Minister Theresa May said her thoughts were with the French people and emergency services fighting the "terrible blaze".

 

The Vatican said the fire at the "symbol of Christianity in France and in the world" had caused shock and sadness and said it was praying for the firefighters.

 

SYMBOL OF PARIS

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said at the scene that some of many artworks that were in the cathedral had been taken out and were being put in safe storage.

 

The cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century, features in Victor Hugo's classic novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame". It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts millions of tourists every year.

 

It is a focal point for French Roman Catholics who like Christians around the world are celebrating Holy Week, marking the death and resurrection of Jesus.

 

The archbishop of Paris called on all priests in Paris to ring church bells as a gesture of solidarity for Notre-Dame.

 

"I have a lot of friends who live abroad and every time they come I tell them to go to Notre-Dame," said witness Samantha Silva, with tears in her eyes.

 

"I've visited it so many times, but it will never be the same. It's a real symbol of Paris."

 

The cathedral was in the midst of renovations, with some sections under scaffolding, and bronze statues were removed last week for works.

 

Built over a century starting in 1163, Notre-Dame is considered to be among the finest examples of French Gothic cathedral architecture.

 

It is renowned for its rib vaulting, flying buttresses and stunning stained glass windows, as well as its many carved stone gargoyles.

 

Its 100-metre-long (330-foot) roof, of which a large section was consumed in the first hour of the blaze, was one of the oldest such structures in Paris, according to the cathedral’s website.

 

A centre of Roman Catholic faith, over the centuries Notre-Dame has also been a target of political upheaval.

 

It was ransacked by rioting Protestant Huguenots in the 16th century, pillaged again during the French Revolution of the 1790s and left in a state of semi-neglect. Hugo’s 1831 work led to revived interest in the cathedral and a major – partly botched – restoration that began in 1844.

 

The wood-and-lead spire was built during that restoration, according to the cathedral's website.

 

"Notre-Dame belonged to all humanity. What a tragic spectacle," tweeted Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Union's executive Commission.

 

"What horror. I share the French nation's sadness."

 

(Reporting by Sybille de la Hamaide and Julie Carriat; Additional reporting by Leigh Thomas, Simon Carraud, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Michel Rose, Emmanuel Jarry, Jean-Baptiste Vey, Marine Pennetier, Sarah White, Tim Hepher, Laurence Frost in Paris, Kylie MacLellan in London, Paul Carrel in Berlin, Philip Pullella in Rome; Writing by Robin Pomeroy; Editing by Frances Kerry)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-04-16

[Snow Leopard]

I am not really religious but buildings like this rightly or wrongly define our past and symbolise our culture and what ordinary men and women can achieve. In the modern day, architecture is just mainly concrete and steel thrown together in some form and will not last one century let alone ten. 

 

It will take many years to restore I believe. 

Edited April 15, 2019 by Snow Leopard

[Scott]

Troll posts removed.

[Aforek]

Very sad, it's not only a religious building, it's 800 years of history of my country's history ; I liked it much more than Eiffel tower 

yes, great loss ...

[Tug]

So deeply saddening but I know the great French people will rebuild restore and love

[metisdead]

Offensive troll posts and replies have been removed.

[colinneil]

A very sad day for France, such a beautiful majestic building.

I visited Notre Dame about 30 years ago, and i was in awe at what a majestic structure it was.

What an amazing feat building it 800 years ago, no cranes, machines, only hand labour.

[webfact]

 

People kneel on the pavement as they pray outside watching flames engulf Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. A colossal fire swept through the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, causing a spire to collapse and raising fears over the future of the nearly millenium old building and its precious artworks. The fire, which began in the early evening, sent flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the Paris sky as stunned Parisians and tourists watched on in sheer horror.

 

Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/photo-of-the-day-31/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2019-04-16

[sjbrownderby]

Let's hope 'The Hunchback' made it to safety.

[metisdead]

Some more troll posts and the replies have been removed. 

[Ulic]

Tragic, very glad to have seen it earlier in my life. It will probably take several decades to rebuild and several billion dollars as well.

[JoePai]

This is as sad as the devastation of the Windsor Castle by fire some years back

[Skeptic7]

Went there almost 30 years ago with a few colleagues. I wanted pics but the place was sooo crowded. A bit too loudly I asked...what the hell are all these people doing here?!? Being shushed by one in our group she said...well It IS Sunday and it IS a church! Ohhh yeah...hadn't considered those minor details. 

 

Pity. Beautiful, historic place. Guess their "god" wasn't home that day. ????

Glad I got my pics! 

[nauseus]

28 minutes ago, sjbrownderby said:

Let's hope 'The Hunchback' made it to safety.

I suppose that had to come. At least you waited until the end of the page.

[nauseus]

20 minutes ago, JoePai said:

This is as sad as the devastation of the Windsor Castle by fire some years back

 

They did a good repair job at Windsor. This will be more difficult I think.

[gunderhill]

3 hours ago, Snow Leopard said:

concrete

Concrete is  very long lived, ask the Romans

[ballpoint]

26 minutes ago, sjbrownderby said:

Let's hope 'The Hunchback' made it to safety.

He got out, but has really got the hump over it.

[Tongjaw]

4 hours ago, gunderhill said:

its  just  a  building  not an  earthquake, smallpox or  plague  is  a  sad  day.

Just a building? Obviously you have never been there or know it’s history. 

[Aforek]

22 minutes ago, Tongjaw said:

Just a building? Obviously you have never been there or know it’s history. 

Of course, just a building, but it belongs to humanity, I suppose thousands of people worked for it several centuries and some surely died; it's shows the genius and creativity of mankind; do you think that in 2019 we can build something like this, with the methods of 800 years ago ? 

[Zack61]

It (is) was renowned for its rib vaulting, flying buttresses and stunning stained glass windows, as well as its many carved stone gargoyles.

Edited April 16, 2019 by Zack61

[blazes]

One of my greatest memories is of hearing Bach's B Minor Mass performed in Notre Dame a decade ago.  Bach and Notre Dame were equally magnificent.

 

[fantom]

After the Windsor Castle fire £20,000,000 was spent on fire prevention measures, I wonder if there was any fire management measures of any significance at Notre Dame. The thing went up like a bonfire.

 

Also just why should the populations around the world be asked to chip in for the restoration? After the Windsor fire the Queen stumped up the renovation costs as it was her property. Why doesnt the Catholic church / Vatican assume responsibility for the renovation?

[Tongjaw]

3 minutes ago, Aforek said:

Of course, just a building, but it belongs to humanity, I suppose thousands of people worked for it several centuries and some surely died; it's shows the genius and creativity of mankind; do you think that in 2019 we can build something like this, with the methods of 800 years ago ? 

I think your replying to the wrong person here. 

I’ve been to Notre-Dame a few times and I know it’s history. Remarkable building and a masterpiece of engineering. 

[maxcorrigan]

5 minutes ago, fantom said:

After the Windsor Castle fire £20,000,000 was spent on fire prevention measures, I wonder if there was any fire management measures of any significance at Notre Dame. The thing went up like a bonfire.

 

Also just why should the populations around the world be asked to chip in for the restoration? After the Windsor fire the Queen stumped up the renovation costs as it was her property. Why doesnt the Catholic church / Vatican assume responsibility for the renovation?

Yes she did, but that was after it was reported that the tax payers would cover the cost which caused an outrage!, only then did the Queen step in!