Notre-Dame cathedral

[keithisco 4,675]

 

Notre Dame Cathedral is ablaze this evening...

Quote

 

A fire has broken out at the famous Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately clear, but officials say that it could be linked to renovation work.

Images on social media show plumes of smoke billowing into the air above the 850-year-old Gothic building.

Last year, the Catholic Church in France launched an urgent appeal for funds to save the cathedral, which was starting to crumble.

A major operation is under way to tackle the blaze, which broke out on Monday afternoon. An area surrounding the building in central Paris has been cleared, officials said.

 

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[stevewinn 8,400]

i thought i could smell burning.

Edited April 15 by stevewinn

[RavenHawk 8,472]

What of historical or art import is inside that part of the Cathedral?

 

[keithisco 4,675]

It appears that the Spire (La Fleche - the Arrow) has now collapsed onto the Lady Chapel

[keithisco 4,675]

Live reporting from France 24 HERE

[stevewinn 8,400]

sky news live as well, tried posting before but got sweet brown.

 

[keithisco 4,675]

Henry V (of Agincourt fame) was crowned King in Notre Dame Cathedral.

Looks like all of the roofs have been consumed by fire as well...desperately sad

[Vlad the Mighty 41,018]

--

Edited April 15 by Vlad the Mighty

[pallidin 9,305]

I could suggest exactly which ideologic group is responsible, but on this site it might be considered "insensitive"

[Raptor Witness 980]

How sad ..... one would think that in Paris they would have flying water tankers at the ready.

 

[The Wistman 2,741]

Devastated.  One of the stupendous structures, filled with history and artistic splendor.  I'm speechless.

[Tatetopa 6,579]

6 minutes ago, pallidin said:

I could suggest exactly which ideologic group is responsible, but on this site it might be considered "insensitive"

Well you might want to keep an open mind and listen to the fire fighters who think it might have started in a renovation project.    

[skliss 4,381]

Nooooooo....inexpressibly sad!! 

[Vlad the Mighty 41,018]

Any guesses who Macron will choose to insinuate might be responsible?

[Dark_Grey 13,586]

11 minutes ago, pallidin said:

I could suggest exactly which ideologic group is responsible, but on this site it might be considered "insensitive"

I don't know what you're talking about. Diversity is our strength.

Link

Quote

"Some politicians have claimed the country’s Christian heritage is under threat from petty criminals encouraged by “militant secularism”.

Figures released by French police showed that 875 of France’s 42,258 churches were vandalised last year.

A further 129 churches reported thefts from the premises.

The interior ministry said that 59 cemeteries were also vandalised.

While the figures are down on the previous year when there were 1,045 acts of vandalism and 109 thefts they are still at a “worrying level”, according to Le Figaro.

Republicans MP Valerie Boyer said: “Every day, at least two churches are profaned.”

 

Edited April 15 by Dark_Grey

[Raptor Witness 980]

It’s way too early to speculate about the Cause & Origin, but the fact that it was under construction, is an obvious suspicion.

[The Wistman 2,741]

2 minutes ago, Tatetopa said:

Well you might want to keep an open mind and listen to the fire fighters who think it might have started in a renovation project.    

There appears to have been major scaffolding suspended across the center of the roof.  The images show the flames licking around the scaffolds. 

[keithisco 4,675]

2 minutes ago, Vlad the Mighty said:

Any guesses who Macron will choose to insinuate might be responsible?

"Gilet Jaune"??

Edited April 15 by keithisco

[pallidin 9,305]

Yes, it does appear tentatively evident that is was a construction related cause.

Edit: Remodeling 

Edited April 15 by pallidin

[The Wistman 2,741]

The steeple and roof, with the vaults, are gone.

[keithisco 4,675]

1 minute ago, The Wistman said:

The steeple and roof, with the vaults, are gone.

Do we know about the 4 Rose Windows? Nothing being reported on France 24 yet...

[pallidin 9,305]

Must be a horrific situation. Hope no-one is injured or killed.

[Mr.United_Nations 2,780]

1 minute ago, keithisco said:

Do we know about the 4 Rose Windows? Nothing being reported on France 24 yet...

Apparently 2 of them are destroyed last I heard

[susieice 18,226]

I feel so sorry for the people of France. This is such a beautiful building and so much a part of their history.

[The Wistman 2,741]

2 minutes ago, keithisco said:

Do we know about the 4 Rose Windows? Nothing being reported on France 24 yet...

The towers of the western front appear to be okay, so that rose must be intact I suppose.  The medieval rose at the east end, I've heard, is intact.  Most of the nave is gone.  Gone.