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

The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in the heart of Paris is ablaze as thousands of bystanders watch the 850-year-old landmark burn.
A devastating fire swept through the Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris, causing the iconic spire to collapse. Picture: Hubert Hitier/AFPSource:AFP

A devastating fire swept through the Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris, causing the iconic spire to collapse. Picture: Hubert Hitier/AFPSource:AFP

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.
 

 

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.
 

The devastating fire may have started from renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said. Picture: Francois Guillot/AFP
The devastating fire may have started from renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said. Picture: Francois Guillot/AFPSource:AFP

 

Dramatic footage shows the spire collapsing as smoke and flames engulf the Notre Dame Cathedral. Picture: Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP
Dramatic footage shows the spire collapsing as smoke and flames engulf the Notre Dame Cathedral. Picture: Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFPSource:AFP


“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.”

 
Drone footage shows the fire in the Notre Dame Cathedral. Picture: French Police
Drone footage shows the fire in the Notre Dame Cathedral. Picture: French PoliceSource:Supplied

 

The fire in Notre Dame.
The fire in Notre Dame.Source:Twitter

 

Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the cathedral in central Paris. Picture: AFP
Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the cathedral in central Paris. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

 

 
Notre Dame’s spire (left) and on April 15 (right) as it collapses. Picture: Ludovic MARIN and Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP
Notre Dame’s spire (left) and on April 15 (right) as it collapses. Picture: Ludovic MARIN and Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFPSource:AFP

 

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.


 

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.
 

Firefighters douse flames rising from the roof at Notre Dame Cathedral. Picture: AFP
Firefighters douse flames rising from the roof at Notre Dame Cathedral. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

 

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.




 

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.


 
This combination of video frame grabs shows the spire collapsing as flames and smoke billow from the roof at Notre Dame Cathedral. Picture: Patrick Galey/AFP
This combination of video frame grabs shows the spire collapsing as flames and smoke billow from the roof at Notre Dame Cathedral. Picture: Patrick Galey/AFPSource:AFP

 

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.
 

Ash is falling on tourists and others around the island that marks the centre of Paris. Picture: AP/Thibault Camus
Ash is falling on tourists and others around the island that marks the centre of Paris. Picture: AP/Thibault CamusSource:AP

 

Massive plumes of yellow and brown smoke is filling the air above Notre Dame Cathedral. Picture: AP /Michel Euler
Massive plumes of yellow and brown smoke is filling the air above Notre Dame Cathedral. Picture: AP /Michel EulerSource:AP

 

 
Flames billow from the roof. Picture: Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP
Flames billow from the roof. Picture: Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFPSource:AFP

 

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.
 

An aerial view of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris taken in April 2017. Picture: Jean-Sebastien Evrard/AFP
An aerial view of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris taken in April 2017. Picture: Jean-Sebastien Evrard/AFPSource:AFP

 

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


Source: News Corp Australia Network:

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