Fire in Notre Dame Cathedral

[lmarie086]

This is heartbreaking. I've always wanted to see the cathedral in person...I'm so sorry for the people of Paris.

 

[Andrey aka Pushkin]

The lead in the windows may melt Some were reported to have already been damaged.

I am looking the live coverage, the stained glass windows are completely destroyed. There's just nothing there. I don't think anything apart from the stone towers will survive.

I'm completely devastated. This is one of my favorite buildings in the world, and it is just heartbreaking seeing priceless piece of history being destroyed. Just can't believe it....

 

[cholla]

I can't believe that 850 years of history are going in flames this way... This cathedral is one of the most beautiful buildings in the entire world, a historical masterpiece. It's also the geographical heart of France ("Km 0"). I'm an atheist but I'm devastated.

On TV they are saying that the fire is up to 800 degrees C. Enough to melt lead and glass. Anything wooden is down in ashes. I'm going to be sick...

 

[ballettmaus]

Not sure that is true - I think someone saw the flames through the windows that were from behind the tower. Watching the BBC live reporting and the Towers don't look like they are burning. One can only hope they survive.

You could see the flames briefly. Now it's just smoke, so they may have gotten it under control quickly. Although, CNN's reporter at Notre Dame and eye witnesses keep saying it is on fire.

 

[floskate]

Eyewitness on BBC now saying he can see the left bell tower is on fire.

 

[BlueRidge]

this keeps going through my head

Près de Notre Dame
Parfois couve un drame
Oui mais à Paname
Tout peut s'arranger
Quelques rayons
Du ciel d'été
L'accordéon
D'un marinier
L'espoir fleurit
Au ciel de Paris

 

[flyingsit]

I can't believe that 850 years of history are going in flames this way... This cathedral is one of the most beautiful buildings in the entire world, a historical masterpiece. It's also the geographical heart of France ("Km 0"). I'm an atheist but I'm devastated.

On TV they are saying that the fire is up to 800 degrees C. Enough to melt lead and glass. Anything wooden is down in ashes. I'm going to be sick...

I agree with every single word and feel exactly the same.

 

[Lorac]

Eyewitness on BBC now saying he can see the left bell tower is on fire.

And a close up has shown the firefighters trying to put it out - and dowsing them as much as they can to try to save them. The roof is beyond hope so trying to save what they can of the exterior - which can really only be the towers.

 

[Jayar]

I am mourning along with the rest of the world. Paris is in my heart.

 

[Carolla5501]

I am sitting at work crying. My heart is broken. Such a beautiful place!

The spire is down, the damage is EXTENSIVE. It will never be the same.

 

[MsZem]

Macron at the scene.

It also gives some indication of the situation at the front of the cathedral (namely, the towers).

 

[Jenny]

I keep thinking about all the treasures inside - woodwork and stone carvings, statues and paintings, tapestries, books and manuscripts, perhaps mosaics, furnishing including altars, all the priceless and irreplaceable ornaments, musical instruments, records and archives, goodness, even tombs?

 

[jadingirl]

My husband and I are going to Paris in July. Notre Dame was supposed to be our first stop.

So sad for everyone in Paris and everyone in France.

Let's hope they can save some of it.

 

[ilovepaydays]

Good news: The artwork, sacraments, and the Crown of Thorns have been saved.

 

[skatingfan5]

Macron at the scene.

It also gives some indication of the situation at the front of the cathedral (namely, the towers).

Thank you for that link. Not sure of the chronology of the images, but the photo with Macron shows one of the rose windows intact, but perhaps that was much earlier? Still hoping some of the glass will survive.

 

[MsZem]

Good news: The artwork, sacraments, and the Crown of Thorns have been saved.

Finally some good news. Let's hope for more to come...

 

[BlueRidge]

The Guardian just posted a photo that it says is the latest it has and it does not show the towers in fire.

 

[ballettmaus]

Thank you for that link. Not sure of the chronology of the images, but the photo with Macron shows one of the rose windows intact, but perhaps that was much earlier? Still hoping some of the glass will survive.

On CNN, it looks like the fire still hasn't reached the front, so it might still be intact. (Hard to tell now that it's dark)

 

[MsZem]

The Guardian just posted a photo that it says is the latest it has and it does not show the towers in fire.

This is the photo in question.

The update is that the next hour and a half will be crucial.

 

[Lorac]

Damn - the fire is clearly seen in the left bell tower. Not sure any of the cathedral will be saved at this point.

 

[ballettmaus]

Damn - the fire is clearly seen in the left bell tower. Not sure any of the cathedral will be saved at this point.

CNN is showing fire fighters walking between the towers.

 

[cocotaffy]

CNN is showing fire fighters walking between the towers.

Yes they are afraid the fire might reach the left tower.

 

[millyskate]

Heartbreaking.
I've been trying to listen to the coverage on some French news outlets, and reactions by various politicians or guests have been really distasteful and out of place. I had to stop listening, I found it upsetting. When journalists have been trying elicit a little compassion for the local Christians at the start of the Easter week, interviewees have been going out of their way to deny that there could be an extra layer to the loss of those who believe, or poignancy to the timing.
It of course is a place of culture and history that all are heartbroken about. But clearly, it is of special significance to the Christians of Paris. It is a church, a place of worship. The coverage on the BBC has actually been much more tasteful.

For those seeking a little good news - this work might prove important.
https://news.nationalgeographic.com...edral-laser-scan-art-history-medieval-gothic/

A point raised by both Christine Boutin, Catholic French politician, and my mum... whose thoughts went straight to a worker whose potential negligence might have caused the start of the fire, or the people responsible for overseeing the renovation. Forgiveness is core to the Christian faith and I hope there will be no personal vendetta or over-zealous attempt to indentify a culprit. Accidents, tragic ones, happen.

 

[floskate]

This is the photo in question.

The update is that the next hour and a half will be crucial.

You can't see it from that angle but the BBC footage is from the side just by the bell towers and you can clearly see flames inside the one nearest and a jet of water being trained into the tower to combat the flames.

 

[attyfan]

Apparently, no casualties ... along with the saved artwork, some hopeful news. Otherwise, unbelievably horrible ... so much history destroyed so quickly. (My husband and I are visiting France in September ... )

 

[skatesindreams]

Thanks for all updates and information.

 

[allezfred]

The devastation of such an important building is of course awful, but at least there has been no loss of life. Hopefully the firefighters will stay safe as they tackle the blaze.

 

[ilovepaydays]

Ave Maria being sung in Paris.

I’m basically done watching this for today. This is too heartbreaking.

 

[cholla]

The artwork has to be saved not only from the fire but also from the water....

Oh no the left tower is in flames now !

 

[cocotaffy]

Oh no, the left tower is in flames, I should just stop watching this is heartbreaking. It is so tricking because if they water too much they will weaken the structure. They don't sound optimistic at all.