The world-renowned Notre Dame cathedral in Paris went up in flames last night. The blaze destroyed the iconic building’s roof as well as its famous spire.
The sheer magnitude of the destruction caused by the flames carried the news of the fire far and wide as the people of Paris watched on while the historic building burned.
This legendary cathedral welcomes roughly 13-million visitors each year and public figures around the world expressed their dismay as the flames continued to rise.
Flames engulfed the structure for roughly eight hours and were mostly extinguished by this morning. Firefighters battled the flames to prevent the main bell tower from collapsing and also worked to save treasured religious artifacts stored in the church from destruction.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to restore the much-loved building to its previous glory.
Notre-Dame is aflame. Great emotion for the whole nation. Our thoughts go out to all Catholics and to the French people. Like all of my fellow citizens, I am sad to see this part of us burn tonight. https://t.co/27CrJgJkJb
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 15, 2019
“We will rebuild it together. It will undoubtedly be part of French destiny and our project for the years to come,” he said.
The Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into the fire soon after the blaze began. Late Monday, prosecutors said their preliminary findings suggested the huge fire had been started accidentally.
As one of the symbols of France burned Parisians watched on in horror and social media was alight with sadness and shock at the news of the fire.
CURIOUS FACT:
“The gargoyles that were known to take care of Notre Dame Cathedral were removed a week ago for remodeling, the today is on fire, because there was no one to take care of it.” #NotreDameFire pic.twitter.com/gHZCpBR779— ?????;? (@cubansflex) April 16, 2019
Crowd singing Ave Maria as Notre Dame burns #NotreDameFire #Paris pic.twitter.com/Y4HydRBiyc
— Kasa (@amanozako1) April 15, 2019
The bravery of firemen and the genius of vaulted ceilings saved Notre Dame. The stone probably prevented most of the fire from entering the interior. Only the outer timber could burn. #NotreDameFire pic.twitter.com/H4XY1Leba0
— Grace Frizzell (@gfrizzell4) April 15, 2019
(1 of 10) The important thing to remember about the #NotreDameFire is that Notre Dame Cathedral, like other old buildings, is a “living, breathing” structure. It’s not just some old unchanging relic, it has been affected and changed by every century it’s existed in.
— Kyle Hudak (@TitanicKyle) April 15, 2019
Built in 1163. It survived the French Revolution, The Black Plague and two world wars and now tonight The Notre Dame In Paris has burned. This is so tragic.
?????#NotreDameFire #NotreDame #Paris #NotreDameCathedral pic.twitter.com/qiQfpwfbH4— OfficialWilly2.0 (@therealwill17) April 15, 2019
Saw this. My heart??❤️ #NotreDameFire pic.twitter.com/UmGjUyeZgJ
— ?Gabriella? (@gabbydennis) April 15, 2019
These people gathering to sing “Ave Maria” may be one of the most beautiful scenes on a tragic day. It brings tears to my eyes. ????????#NotreDameFire #NotreDame #NotreDameCathedral #Paris #AveMaria pic.twitter.com/fSoWtS9meP
— OfficialWilly2.0 (@therealwill17) April 15, 2019
The beauty of the Cathedral will last forever #NotreDameFire pic.twitter.com/X5HJGPtbZU
— Nic Elliott (@nelliott57) April 16, 2019
#NotreDameFire from the sky ✈️ pic.twitter.com/eAoBg1RJa0
— Aviationdaily✈️الطيران يوميآ (@Aviationdailyy) April 16, 2019
Picture: Instagram
