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 9 | Version 10 |
---|---|
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 the medieval cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, one of France's most famous landmarks. | |
The 850-year-old Gothic building's spire and roof have collapsed but the main structure, including the two bell towers, has been saved, officials say. | The 850-year-old Gothic building's spire and roof have collapsed but the main structure, including the two bell towers, has been saved, officials say. |
Firefighters are still working to contain the blaze as teams try to salvage the artwork stored inside. | |
President Emmanuel Macron called it a "terrible tragedy". The cause of the fire is not yet clear. | President Emmanuel Macron called it a "terrible tragedy". The cause of the fire is not yet clear. |
Officials say it could be linked to the renovation work that began after cracks appeared in the stone, sparking fears the structure could become unstable. | |
Paris prosecutor's office said it had opened an inquiry into "accidental destruction by fire". A firefighter was seriously injured while tackling the blaze. | |
Visibly emotional, Mr Macron said the "worst had been avoided" and vowed to launch an international fundraising scheme to rebuild the cathedral. | |
How did the fire spread? | How did the fire spread? |
The fire began at around 18:30 (16:30 GMT) and quickly reached the roof of the cathedral, destroying its stained-glass windows and the wooden interior before toppling the spire. | |
Some 500 firefighters worked to prevent one of the bell towers from collapsing. More than four hours later, fire chief Jean-Claude Gallet said the main structure had been "saved and preserved" from total destruction. | |
Sections of the cathedral were under scaffolding as part of the extensive renovations and 16 copper statues had been removed last week. | |
Deputy Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said the building had suffered "colossal damages", and teams were working to save the cathedral's remaining artwork. | |
Historian Camille Pascal told French broadcaster BFMTV that "invaluable heritage" had been destroyed, adding: "Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre-Dame. We can be only horrified by what we see". | |
How have people reacted? | How have people reacted? |
Thousands of people 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. | Thousands of people 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. |
Several churches around Paris rang their bells in response to the blaze, which happened as Catholics celebrate Holy Week. | |
Because of the fire, Mr Macron cancelled a speech on TV in which he was due to address the street protests that have rocked France for months. | |
Visiting the scene, the president said the cathedral was a building "for all French people", including those who had never been there. | |
"We'll rebuild Notre-Dame together", he said as he praised the "extreme courage" and "professionalism" of the firefighters. | |
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. |
Facts about Notre-Dame | Facts about Notre-Dame |
What has been the international reaction? | What has been the international reaction? |
The Vatican expressed "shock and sadness," adding that it was praying for the French fire services. | |
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". |
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". | |
Also on Twitter, US President Donald Trump said it was "horrible to watch" the fire and suggested that "flying water tankers" could be used to extinguish the blaze. | |
In an apparent response, the French Civil Security service said that was not an option as it might result in the collapse of the entire building. | |