Fire engulfed the 859 years old Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, leaving it badly damaged. According to Wikipedia, the cathedral was begun in 1160 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was largely complete by 1260, though it was modified frequently in the ensuing centuries.
The cathedral was engulfed by fire yesterday 15th April 2019. A report by the Catholics News Agency (CNA) says the building sustained significant damage, including the destruction of two-thirds of the roof and the spire.
Although, both towers were safe despite initial doubt that the north tower could be saved.
“Because of the ongoing renovation, the copper statues that were normally on the now collapsed spire had been removed from the building a week prior,” report added.
Watch Video Below:
One firefighter was seriously injured during the blaze. The entirety of the Île de la Cité was evacuated as fears of the fire spreading mounted.
Report says, many artifacts were saved before the fire spread to other parts of the cathedral.
The fire broke out shortly before 7pm local time, April 15. Multiple eyewitnesses shared photos and videos of the cathedral with visible plumes of smoke and flames across the cathedral’s roof.
The historic spire of the cathedral, which stood 226 feet tall, fell shortly before 8pm.
The entire cathedral roof was seen to collapse while the fire continued to burn unchecked within the main structure.
Efforts by more than 400 firefighters focused mostly on the north belfry, with Paris’ chief firefighter highlighting the risk to what remains of the structure if the main bell should fall through the tower.
Shortly after 11pm, news service AFP reported that firefighters said that they believe Notre-Dame’s main structure can be “saved and preserved.”
Following a visit to the site, President Emmanuel Macron vowed to restore the cathedral, which belongs to the French government.
The French President announced that Notre-Dame will be rebuilt, stating “It’s part of the fate, the destiny of France, and our common project over the coming years. And I am committed to it.
“We will rebuild Notre-Dame,” Macron said, according to AFP.
Earlier, the French president released a statement on Twitter expressing the “emotion” of “the whole nation.”
Macron said his thoughts were with all Catholics and French citizens.
“Like all our compatriots, tonight I am sad to see a part of [all of] us burn.”
