This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47941794
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Notre-Dame cathedral: Firefighters tackle blaze in Paris | Notre-Dame cathedral: Firefighters tackle blaze in Paris |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A major fire has engulfed one of France's most famous landmarks - the medieval Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. | |
Firefighters are battling to save the 850-year-old Gothic building, but its spire and roof have collapsed. | |
The cause is not yet clear, but officials say that it could be linked to renovation work. | The cause is not yet clear, but officials say that it could be linked to renovation work. |
A Paris fire official said the main structure had now been 'saved and preserved'. | |
Last year, the Catholic Church in France appealed for funds to save the building, which was crumbling. | Last year, the Catholic Church in France appealed for funds to save the building, which was crumbling. |
Loud bangs could be heard as flames burst through the cathedral's roof, also and destroying its stain-glass windows. | |
All efforts are now being put into saving the cathedral's artwork and preventing the collapse of its northern tower. | |
The deputy interior minister Laurent Nunes told reporters it was "not certain" that it could be saved. | |
Thousands of people have gathered in the streets around the cathedral, observing the flames in silence. Some could be seen openly weeping, while others sang hymns or said prayers. | |
French President Emmanuel Macron, who has arrived at the scene, said his thoughts were with "all Catholics and all French people." | French President Emmanuel Macron, who has arrived at the scene, said his thoughts were with "all Catholics and all French people." |
"Like all of my countrymen, I am sad tonight to see this part of us burn." | "Like all of my countrymen, I am sad tonight to see this part of us burn." |
Mr Macron had earlier cancelled an important TV speech to the nation because of the fire, an Élysée Palace official said. | |
A spokesman for the cathedral said the whole structure was "burning". | A spokesman for the cathedral said the whole structure was "burning". |
"It remains to be seen whether the vault, which protects the cathedral, will be affected or not", he said. | |
Historian Camille Pascal told French broadcaster BFMTV the fire was destroying "invaluable heritage." | Historian Camille Pascal told French broadcaster BFMTV the fire was destroying "invaluable heritage." |
"For 800 years the Cathedral has watched over Paris", he said. | "For 800 years the Cathedral has watched over Paris", he said. |
"Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre Dame. | "Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre Dame. |
"We can be only horrified by what we see". | "We can be only horrified by what we see". |
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo urged people to respect the boundaries set up by fire crews in order to ensure that they remain safe. | The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo urged people to respect the boundaries set up by fire crews in order to ensure that they remain safe. |
"There are a lot of art works inside...it's a real tragedy," she told reporters. | "There are a lot of art works inside...it's a real tragedy," she told reporters. |
A symbol of a country | A symbol of a country |
Analysis by Henri Astier, BBC World Online | Analysis by Henri Astier, BBC World Online |
No other site represents France quite like Notre-Dame. Its main rival as a national symbol, the Eiffel Tower, is little more than a century old. Notre-Dame has stood tall above Paris since the 1200s. | No other site represents France quite like Notre-Dame. Its main rival as a national symbol, the Eiffel Tower, is little more than a century old. Notre-Dame has stood tall above Paris since the 1200s. |
It has given its name to one of the country's literary masterpieces. Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is known to the French simply as Notre Dame de Paris. | It has given its name to one of the country's literary masterpieces. Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is known to the French simply as Notre Dame de Paris. |
The last time the cathedral suffered major damage was during the French Revolution. It survived two world wars largely unscathed. | The last time the cathedral suffered major damage was during the French Revolution. It survived two world wars largely unscathed. |
Watching such an embodiment of the permanence of a nation burn and its spire collapse is profoundly shocking to any French person. | Watching such an embodiment of the permanence of a nation burn and its spire collapse is profoundly shocking to any French person. |
"I have a lot of friends who live abroad and every time they come I tell them to go to Notre-Dame," eyewitness Samantha Silva told the Reuters news agency. | "I have a lot of friends who live abroad and every time they come I tell them to go to Notre-Dame," eyewitness Samantha Silva told the Reuters news agency. |
"I've visited it so many times, but it will never be the same. It's a real symbol of Paris." | "I've visited it so many times, but it will never be the same. It's a real symbol of Paris." |
US President Donald Trump suggested "perhaps flying water tankers" could be used to extinguish the fire. | US President Donald Trump suggested "perhaps flying water tankers" could be used to extinguish the fire. |
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has offered her support to the people of France, calling Notre-Dame a "symbol of French and European culture". | Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has offered her support to the people of France, calling Notre-Dame a "symbol of French and European culture". |
"My thoughts are with the people of France tonight and with the emergency services who are fighting the terrible blaze at Notre-Dame cathedral", UK Prime Minister Theresa May said in a tweet. | "My thoughts are with the people of France tonight and with the emergency services who are fighting the terrible blaze at Notre-Dame cathedral", UK Prime Minister Theresa May said in a tweet. |
The Vatican has said news of the fire has caused "shock and sadness," adding that it was praying for the French fire services. | |
The Notre-Dame cathedral, a popular tourist attraction, was undergoing renovations after cracks began to appear in the stone, sparking fears the structure could become unstable. | |
The Paris prosecutor's office said it has opened an inquiry into the incident. No injuries have been reported so far and buildings in the surrounding area have been evacuated. | The Paris prosecutor's office said it has opened an inquiry into the incident. No injuries have been reported so far and buildings in the surrounding area have been evacuated. |
Facts about Notre-Dame | |
Are you in the area? Did you witness the fire? Emailhaveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you in the area? Did you witness the fire? Emailhaveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |