Paris’ Notre Dame ‘Saved from Total Destruction,’ French Fire Official Says, After Blaze Ravages Cathedral
Nadine El-Bawab
@NADINEELBAWAB
CNBC
Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
Francois Guillot | AFP | Getty Images
The roof of Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral collapsed Monday as a massive fire ripped through the structure.
The city’s mayor and firefighters warned people to stay away from the area.
A French Interior Ministry official had previously said firefighters may not be able to save the cathedral.
Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral has been saved from “total destruction,” according to a French fire official, after a massive fire ripped through the structure on Monday and caused the roof and main spire to collapse.
The official estimated it could up to seven hours from the initial outbreak to contain the fire, French24 television reported, but the official said the two towers have now been saved. That news come as a sign of relief after one of the towers caught fire earlier in the evening. Earlier, a French Interior Ministry official had said that firefighters might not be able to save the cathedral.
“The worst has been avoided, but the battle isn’t fully won yet,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement outside of the cathedral. He also expressed his sympathies to Catholics around the world, the people of Paris and the people of France. The fire broke out just days before Easter.
“We will rebuild the cathedral together,” Macron said, adding that France will start an international fundraising campaign to raise money for the renovations.
Residents living close to the cathedral were evacuated in case the building collapses, said Paris Mayor Anne Hildago. The area surrounding the cathedral, Paris’ Ile de la Cite, was also evacuated, according to Reuters.
The Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into the fire soon after the damage begun. Late Monday, prosecutors said their preliminary findings suggested the huge fire was started accidentally.
Firefighters at the scene directed much of their efforts towards saving the artwork stored at the back of the cathedral, which had been undergoing renovations.
President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the scene of the fire and headed into a meeting with Paris police. He mourned the landmark in a tweet and canceled an address to the nation that he had been due to give later on Monday evening.
The President of the U.S. Bishops’ conference Daniel Cardinal DiNardo expressed his support for the people of Paris in a statement.
“The horrific fire that is engulfing the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is shocking and saddens us all, for this particular cathedral is not only a majestic Church, it is also a world treasure,” he said, adding, “our hearts go out to the Archbishop and the people of Paris, and we pray for all the people of France, entrusting all to the prayers and intercession of the Mother of God, especially the firefighters battling the fire”
You can see images of the fire here.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
--Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
@NADINEELBAWAB
CNBC
Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
Francois Guillot | AFP | Getty Images
The roof of Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral collapsed Monday as a massive fire ripped through the structure.
The city’s mayor and firefighters warned people to stay away from the area.
A French Interior Ministry official had previously said firefighters may not be able to save the cathedral.
Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral has been saved from “total destruction,” according to a French fire official, after a massive fire ripped through the structure on Monday and caused the roof and main spire to collapse.
The official estimated it could up to seven hours from the initial outbreak to contain the fire, French24 television reported, but the official said the two towers have now been saved. That news come as a sign of relief after one of the towers caught fire earlier in the evening. Earlier, a French Interior Ministry official had said that firefighters might not be able to save the cathedral.
“The worst has been avoided, but the battle isn’t fully won yet,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement outside of the cathedral. He also expressed his sympathies to Catholics around the world, the people of Paris and the people of France. The fire broke out just days before Easter.
“We will rebuild the cathedral together,” Macron said, adding that France will start an international fundraising campaign to raise money for the renovations.
Residents living close to the cathedral were evacuated in case the building collapses, said Paris Mayor Anne Hildago. The area surrounding the cathedral, Paris’ Ile de la Cite, was also evacuated, according to Reuters.
The Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into the fire soon after the damage begun. Late Monday, prosecutors said their preliminary findings suggested the huge fire was started accidentally.
Firefighters at the scene directed much of their efforts towards saving the artwork stored at the back of the cathedral, which had been undergoing renovations.
President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the scene of the fire and headed into a meeting with Paris police. He mourned the landmark in a tweet and canceled an address to the nation that he had been due to give later on Monday evening.
The President of the U.S. Bishops’ conference Daniel Cardinal DiNardo expressed his support for the people of Paris in a statement.
“The horrific fire that is engulfing the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is shocking and saddens us all, for this particular cathedral is not only a majestic Church, it is also a world treasure,” he said, adding, “our hearts go out to the Archbishop and the people of Paris, and we pray for all the people of France, entrusting all to the prayers and intercession of the Mother of God, especially the firefighters battling the fire”
You can see images of the fire here.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
--Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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