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

Firefighters douse flames rising from the roof at Notre Dame Cathedral. Picture: 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 edificFre 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 spread to one of the church’s landmark rectangular towers, with reports that flames could at one stage be seen behind an oblong stained-glass window in the tower.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the fire as a “terrible tragedy,” but said the “worst had been avoided.” Speaking from the scene, he pointed out that the cathedral’s facade and two main towers had not collapsed.

“I’m telling you all tonight — we will rebuild this cathedral together. This is probably part of the French destiny. And we will do it in the next years. Starting tomorrow, a national donation scheme will be started that will extend beyond our borders,” Mr Macron said.

Paris Fire Department commander general Jean-Claude Gallet said the cathedral’s main structure has been saved after hours of work by firefighters on the scene.

“We can consider that the main structure of Notre-Dame has been saved and preserved”, Mr Gallet told reporters outside the cathedral. He said it appeared that the two main towers of the building had also been saved but that it couldn’t be confirmed until the temperature inside the cathedral has cooled, which is expected to take several hours.

Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said that for the first time “the fire had decreased in intensity” while still urging “extreme caution”.
 

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


Earlier on Monday, Mr 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.”
 

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

 

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As the flames tore through the cathedral, dozens of Parisians gathered outside the exclusion zone to sing hymns as the building was ravaged by the flames. Many of them were crying, according to local media.

Australian Divya Bala, who has lived in Paris for two years, told news.com.au that it was “shocking” to witness the iconic building be destroyed.

She was walking home when friends and colleagues alerted her to the unfolding tragedy about 7pm Monday.

“By the time I got down to a vantage point, the spire almost looked like a skeleton of fire. It was devastating,” said Miss Bala, a writer who hails from Sydney.

“I’ve only lived in Paris for two years but to see a monument like that just up in an inferno of flames was breathtaking in the worst way.”
 


The bridges and riverbanks surrounding the cathedral were crowded with Parisians six or seven people deep, according to Ms Bala.

“Everyone just stayed out watching, very calmly, very quietly,” she said.

“Some people were in tears, one older gentleman was holding himself up by the railing on the bridge and people were comforting him.

“But I was really struck by how calm everyone was.”

Miss Bala watched along with the crowds for a few hours before returning home.

“As I was walking back, it was the sight of the crowds that really struck me. Motionless, all starting at Notre Dame in silence. Thousands of people,” she said.

“It was bigger than a church, as it were.”



 

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

 

Earlier on Monday, Mr 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.


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Source: News Corp Australia Network:

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