Thousands watch iconic Notre Dame cathedral burn in the heart of Paris: ‘Everything is burning’

A raging fire has engulfed the roof of Paris’ iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and toppled its spire as thousands of people watch on in horror from the streets below.

Notre Dame spokesman Andre Finot told French media that “everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame” of the beloved 850-year-old structure. The Cathedral is one of France’s most popular tourist attractions and draws about 13 million tourists each year.

A spokesman said the entire wooden frame of the cathedral would likely come down, and that the vault of the edifice could be threatened, as thick plumes of smoke continue to billow into the sky. The stonework and stained glass of the edifice recreate images and lessons from the Bible.
 

I am actually so sad, Notre Dame doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment pic.twitter.com/blQZhaZtBv

— error (@FairyLightwood) April 15, 2019

 

The fire has reportedly spread to one of the church’s landmark rectangular towers, according to an Associated Press reporter who says there are flames behind an oblong stained-glass window in the tower. A Paris fire official said the main structure had now been “saved and preserved”, the BBC reports. But deputy interior minister Laurent Nunes told reporters it was “not certain” that it could be saved.

Paris Fire Department commander general Jean-Claude Gallet said the next hour-and-a-half was “crucial” in order to see if the fire could be contained.
 

 

“There’s a risk that the great bells fall. If the bells fall, it’s the tower that collapses,” Mr Gallet told reporters.

“There are firefighters inside and outside.

“We need to win this battle and block the spreading of the flames. The most efficient action is from the inside. We are not sure if we will be able to stop the spreading of the flames to the North Tower.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, dozens of Parisians have gathered outside the exclusion zone to sing hymns together as the building is ravaged by the flames. Many of them are crying, according to local media.

Parisians sing as their beautiful cathedral tragically burns. What an awful day for the City of Lights #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/6qYtR2z1w0

— Gully Burrows (@gullyburrows93) April 15, 2019

 

The cause of the catastrophic blaze was not known, but French media quoted the Paris fire brigade as saying the fire is “potentially linked” to a six million- euro (A$9.4 million) renovation project on the church’s spire and its 250 tons of lead.

The cathedral was undergoing renovations after cracks started to appear in the stone, sparking fears the structure could become unstable. It came after the Catholic Church in France appealed for funds to save the building.

France 2 television reported police were treating the incident as an accident.

Prosecutors opened an investigation as Paris police said there were no reported deaths.
 

 

Flames shot out of the roof behind the nave of the cathedral, among the most visited landmarks in the world. Hundreds of people lined up bridges around the island that houses the cathedral, watching in shock as acrid smoke rose in plumes.

French President Emmanuel Macron postponed a televised speech to the nation because of the stunning blaze and was going to the cathedral himself.

“Like all our compatriots, I am sad this evening to see this part of all of us burn,” he tweeted.

Paris deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said emergency services are trying to salvage the famed art pieces stored in the cathedral.

@Brett_Hughes @katevoegele hi guys did you heard for the fire at #NOTRE_DAME de Paris Cathedral ? Horrible #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/Q1TAJCHQ7Y https://t.co/skharTjKFc via @franceinfo

— Jessica GILSON (@jessomdu59) April 15, 2019

Make no mistake: The soul-crushing loss of #NotreDame is especially devastating because we're living at a time in history where humanity seems lost.

— Peter Daou (@peterdaou) April 15, 2019

I can’t believe I’m seeing the #Notre_Dame spire falling. pic.twitter.com/Tcl10lgAGq

— Firas El Echi (@FirasElEchi10) April 15, 2019

 

Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, Notre Dame is the most famous of the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages as well as one of the most beloved structures in the world. Situated on the Ile de la Cite, an island in the Seine, the cathedral’s architecture is famous for, among other things, its many gargoyles and its iconic flying buttresses. It’s considered an architectural feat and a religious and cultural symbol of France.

Among the most celebrated artworks inside are its three stained-glass rose windows, placed high up on the west, north and south faces of the cathedral. Its priceless treasures also include a Catholic relic, the crown of thorns, which is only occasionally displayed, including on Fridays during Lent. The cathedral was immortalised in Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” published in 1831, and has long been a subject of fascination in popular culture as well as the traditional art world.

The first stone of the Notre Dame was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163 during the reign of Louis VII, as the medieval city of Paris was growing in population and importance, both as a political and economic centre of the kingdom of France.

Construction continued for much of the next century, with major restoration and additions made in the 17th and 18th centuries.

#NOTRE_DAME stood for 900 years and it took 200 years to build and it is gone in minutes! Sad day for #France and #European heritage. pic.twitter.com/Bebs0ilZhP

— Ambassador Edon Cana (@EdonCana) April 15, 2019

 

 

French historian Camille Pascal told BFM broadcast channel the blaze marked “the destruction of invaluable heritage.” “It’s been 800 years that the Cathedral watches over Paris”, Mr Pascal said. “Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre Dame.” He added: “We can be only horrified by what we see.” Associated Press reporters at the scene saw massive plumes of yellow brown smoke filling the air above the Cathedral and ash falling on the island that houses Notre Dame and marks the centre of Paris. As the spire fell, the sky lit up orange.
 

 

 

 

 

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo is in despair at the “terrible fire.” Ms Hidalgo said in a Twitter post that Paris firefighters were still trying to limit the fire and urged Paris citizens to respect the security perimeter that has been set around the cathedral.

Ms Hidalgo said Paris authorities are in touch with Paris diocese. Reactions from around the world came swiftly.
 

 

The Vatican this morning released a statement.

“The Holy See has learned with shock and sadness the news of the terrible fire that has devastated the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, symbol of Christianity, in France and in the world,” it read.

“We express our closeness to the French Catholic and to the people of Paris. We pray for the fire fighters and for all those who are doing everything possible to face this dramatic situation.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “horrified” by the images coming out of Paris.

“Horrified by the pictures coming from Paris with the fire engulfing Notre Dame Cathedral — a unique example of world heritage that has stood tall since the 14th century,” Mr Guterres wrote in a tweet. “My thoughts are with the people and government of France.”

In Washington, US President Donald Trump tweeted: “So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris” and suggested first responders use “flying water tankers” to put it out.

“Must act quickly!” he wrote.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, said he was praying “to ask the intercession of Notre Dame, our Lady, for the Cathedral at the heart of Paris, and of civilisation, now in flames! God preserve this splendid house of prayer, and protect those battling the blaze.”

— With AP

 

megan.palin@news.com.au | @Megan_Palin