The world stood in shock yesterday as Paris’ iconic Notre Dame suffered potentially irreparable damage during a freak fire.
Flames and smoke were seen billowing from the roof of the 850-year old landmark around 1630 (GMT).
The fire quickly spread, destroying the cathedral’s famous stained glass windows and wooden interiors before causing its spire to topple. Firefighters managed to save the buildings main structure and two towers.
The cause is yet to be confirmed but officials say it could be linked to extensive renovation work that was underway. One firefighter was seriously injured tackling to the blaze.
Visiting the site on Monday night, French President Emmanuel Macron said the "worst had been avoided" and promised to launch an international fun raising scheme for the reconstruction.
He said:
We'll rebuild this cathedral all together and it's undoubtedly part of the French destiny and the project we'll have for the coming years.
That's what the French expect [and] because it's what our history deserves," he added, visibly emotional, calling it a "terrible tragedy
According to the BBC, €100m (£86m) has already been pledged towards rebuilding the Unesco World Heritage site by billionaire François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of the Kering group that owns fashion brands the Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.
Newspapers around the world were illuminated by images of the gothic tower engulfed in flames
C NEWS: La Desolation #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/09iSNulMZ8— Neil Henderson (@Neil Henderson) 1555362105
The Guardian front page, Tuesday 16 April 2019: Inferno devastates Notre Dame https://t.co/nz5MwECipX— The Guardian (@The Guardian) 1555362447
Tuesday's front page: WORLD WEEPS FOR NOTRE DAME #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #skypapers https://t.co/k6wjczxtgW— Metro Newspaper UK (@Metro Newspaper UK) 1555362029
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Paris weeps for its beloved lady' #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/6LG0gAgPSE— The Telegraph (@The Telegraph) 1555362750
Gulf Today front page, Tuesday 16 April 2019 | Fire guts historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris https://t.co/Z4qN4IMSM9— Gulf Today (@Gulf Today) 1555362056
Lots of people were shocked
#NotreDame shocked https://t.co/bMSIjnLlP3— ℒati (@ℒati) 1555355532
Shocked and saddened by the scope of devastation from #NotreDame’s catastrophic fire. Our thoughts remain with… https://t.co/vQYrAFdG8W— Mamuka Bakhtadze (@Mamuka Bakhtadze) 1555354871
Here is video that I took at #NotreDame a short time before the fire today. When we left, it was still a beautiful,… https://t.co/PdtMqUJP6O— Sonya Olds Som (she/her/hers) (@Sonya Olds Som (she/her/hers)) 1555356211
I am absolutely terrified of heights, but made myself climb to see Notre Dame's gargoyles back in 2006. I took this… https://t.co/bZSEUtIvMG— b.andherbooks ❄✨ (@b.andherbooks ❄✨) 1555351795
I never actually saw #NotreDame in person. It is quite a shock to begin to recognise that I will never see it as it… https://t.co/456ylwoNv6— Tom Gerken (@Tom Gerken) 1555353057
Many felt that France was losing an icon
I am devastated by these pictures. As the news broke I watched in horror. Parisians have lost a symbolic icon of th… https://t.co/vGEciJ3mAS— 𝔻𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕕 𝔸 𝔹𝕖𝕣𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕙𝕒𝕞 📚 (@𝔻𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕕 𝔸 𝔹𝕖𝕣𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕙𝕒𝕞 📚) 1555395460
Still can’t believe what happened to this masterpiece yesterday 😞 the world lost an icon... #NotreDame https://t.co/EuLQMe4lCM— Jessie 💕 (@Jessie 💕) 1555390408
It’s not just a magnificent building, and not just an icon. It’s repository of world renowned art. Horrible to watc… https://t.co/V6VdInUNsm— Greg Jenner (@Greg Jenner) 1555351284
A sanctuary, an icon, and an inspiration to thousands of believers and travelers. A sad day of historic loss.… https://t.co/aUQl1WpkAz— Hillary Branman (@Hillary Branman) 1555366220
Emergency teams were able to save several valuable pieces of artwork and religious iconography. The items include what is said to be the crown of thorns worn by Jesus before his crucifixion.
"We had a chain of solidarity, especially in saving the works of art... [They] were able to be saved and put in a safe place," said Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo reports the BBC.
Adding:
This is a tragedy for the whole world... Notre-Dame is the entire history of Paris.
The historian Camille Pascal told French broadcaster BFMTV that "invaluable heritage" had been destroyed.
“Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre-Dame. We can be only horrified by we what we see.”
An international appeal for funds to relate the Notre Dame cathedral is being launched by The French charity Fondation du Patrimoine.
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