A massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral destroyed large parts of the 850-year-old church.
People are dealing with the aftermath of the night of agony when the blaze gutted its roof and toppled its spire as people watched in shock from the streets.
French President Emmanuel Macron promised people that they will “rebuild this cathedral together.” He said a national fundraising campaign to restore the building would be launched as he called on the world’s ‘greatest talents’ to help.
Macron also credited the ‘great professionalism’ and ‘courage’ of firemen with sparing Notre Dame’s Gothic facade and two landmark towers from being devoured by fire, adding “the worst has been avoided.”
Unfortunately, most of the UNESCO World Heritage landmark building was destroyed. The 300ft-tall Gothic spire also collapsed into embers.
“We have been dealt a knockout blow,” said Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit. “Notre Dame is burning, France is crying and the whole world, too, is extremely emotional,” he told reporters.
The fire broke out in a roof area undergoing around $8m of renovations. Although they believe it was an accident, investigations are still ongoing.
Over 400 firefighters stopped the fire, which spread quickly along the top, causing timbers to collapse.
Paris fire brigade Chief Jean-Claude Gallet said: “We can consider that the main structure of Notre-Dame has been saved and preserved as well as the two towers.”
A brigade spokesperson added: “We will continue to watch over any residual pockets of fire and cool down the areas that are still red-hot, like the wooden beam framework.”
Firefighters struggled to take down many of the paintings in the church, said administrative cleric Monsignor Patrick Chauvet. Many featured the whole building would be lost due to the height of the inferno.
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said: “Thank you to the (Paris fire brigade), policemen and the municipal agents who have made this evening a tremendous human chain to save the works of Notre Dame. The Crown of Thorns, the tunic of Saint Louis and several other major works are now in a safe place.”
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