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Police question Notre Dame workers about cause of blaze Police question Notre Dame workers about cause of fire
(32 minutes later)
Police have begun questioning workers carrying out renovations at Notre Dame Cathedral shortly before the devastating fire broke out at the historic monument in the centre of Paris on Monday evening. Police have begun questioning workers who were carrying out renovations at Notre Dame Cathedral shortly before a devastating fire broke out at the historic monument in the centre of Paris on Monday evening.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an inquiry into “involuntary destruction by fire”, indicating they believe the the cause of the catastrophic blaze was accidental rather than criminal. The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an inquiry into “involuntary destruction by fire”, indicating they believe the cause of the blaze was accidental rather than criminal.
Fifteen hours after the fire broke out, Paris firefighters confirmed it had been fully extinguished.Fifteen hours after the fire broke out, Paris firefighters confirmed it had been fully extinguished.
Photographs from inside the monument suggested the three beautiful stained-glass rose windows and the grand organ, built in the 1730s and boasting 8,000 pipes, had been spared from the flames.Photographs from inside the monument suggested the three beautiful stained-glass rose windows and the grand organ, built in the 1730s and boasting 8,000 pipes, had been spared from the flames.
There was global praise for the work of the city fire brigade; 400 firefighters were deployed and succeeded in preventing the flames reaching the two belfry towers, particularly the north tower where the cathedral bells hang. For two hours on Monday evening it was touch and go whether they could halt the advance of the fire. There was global praise for the work of the city fire brigade; 400 firefighters were deployed and succeeded in preventing the flames reaching the two belfry towers, particularly the north tower where the cathedral bells hang.
As the flames advanced there was the terrifying prospect of the wooden frame of the north tower catching fire, sending the 10 bells – the largest of which, the Emmanuel bell, weighs 13 tonnes – crashing down and causing the collapse of both Gothic towers. As the flames advanced there was the terrifying prospect of the wooden frame of the north tower catching fire, sending the 10 bells – the largest of which, the Emmanuel bell, weighs 13 tonnes – crashing down and causing the collapse of both gothic towers.
Most of the wooden roof beams have burned, but the concrete vaulting holding up the roof has largely survived the fire, though parts have collapsed. Most of the wooden roof beams have been burned, but the concrete vaulting holding up the roof has largely survived, though parts have collapsed.
On Tuesday morning firefighters continued to check the stability of the stone structure of the cathedral, reported to be damaged but “intact”. On Tuesday morning firefighters continued to check the stability of the stone structure of the cathedral, reported to be damaged but largely intact.
Gabriel Plus, spokesman for the Paris fire services, told journalists: “Throughout the night our work consisted of keeping an eye on the residue so the fire didn’t reignite and overseeing the structure of the building to make sure it didn’t collapse. We had to ensure the towers were not touched and this is the case,” Plus said. Gabriel Plus, a spokesman for the Paris fire services, said: “Throughout the night our work consisted of keeping an eye on the residue so the fire didn’t reignite and overseeing the structure of the building to make sure it didn’t collapse. We had to ensure the towers were not touched and this is the case.
“We are satisfied and grateful that in risking their lives [firefighters] safeguarded the structure of the two belfries, the towers – and the works of art. Now I can confirm the fire is completely out.”“We are satisfied and grateful that in risking their lives [firefighters] safeguarded the structure of the two belfries, the towers – and the works of art. Now I can confirm the fire is completely out.”
Firefighters also saved many of the treasures inside the cathedral, including smaller works of art and a number of precious religious relics such as the “crown of thorns” and tunic of St Louis. Other relics placed at the top of the spire, which was entirely destroyed, are believed lost. Firefighters also saved many of the treasures inside the cathedral, including smaller works of art and a number of precious religious relics such as the “crown of thorns” and tunic of Saint Louis. Other relics placed at the top of the spire, which was entirely destroyed, are believed lost.
The 16 copper statues which decorated the spire, representing the 12 disciples and four apostles, had been removed for restoration only a few days before the fire. The 16 copper statues that decorated the spire, representing the 12 apostles and four evangelists, had been removed for restoration only a few days before the fire.
Laurent Nuñes, a junior interior minister, said it was not known to what extent the fire had weakened the structure of the Gothic edifice. Laurent Nuñes, a junior interior minister, said it was not known to what extent the fire had weakened the structure of the building. “The task overnight was to bring the fire under control so it doesn’t restart,” Nuñes said. “The task is – now the risk of fire has been put aside – about the building, how the structure will resist.”
“The task overnight was to bring the fire under control so it doesn’t restart,” Nuñes said. “The task is – now the risk of fire has been put aside – about the building, how the structure will resist.”
He added that part of the stone vaulted ceiling had collapsed, but the main structure had survived.
The fire broke out at about 6.45pm local time at the base of the 93-metre spire, which was constructed of wood and lead in the 19th century, and quickly spread to the cathedral’s ribbed roof, made up of hundreds of oak beams, some dating back to the 13th century and measuring up to 110 metres long, and known as “le forêt” (the forest).The fire broke out at about 6.45pm local time at the base of the 93-metre spire, which was constructed of wood and lead in the 19th century, and quickly spread to the cathedral’s ribbed roof, made up of hundreds of oak beams, some dating back to the 13th century and measuring up to 110 metres long, and known as “le forêt” (the forest).
It took firefighters more than four hours to bring the blaze under control and prevent it spreading to the main towers. As well as damage from the heat, which firefighters say reached more than 800C (1,470F), experts also need to assess damage from the vast quantities of water firefighters poured into the cathedral.
Their priority was preventing the fire, which was stoked by wind, from reaching the two Gothic towers, or belfries, on the west facade.
As well as damage from the heat, which firefighters say reached more than 800C, experts also need to assess damage from the vast quantities of water firefighters poured into the cathedral.
“A meeting of experts and national architects is taking place this morning to consider whether the building is stable and whether fire officers can set up inside to continue their work,” the minister added.“A meeting of experts and national architects is taking place this morning to consider whether the building is stable and whether fire officers can set up inside to continue their work,” the minister added.
Franck Riester, France’s culture minister, said: “The principal structure is saved, but the situation is still precarious. We’re optimistic because the two belfries were saved.”Franck Riester, France’s culture minister, said: “The principal structure is saved, but the situation is still precarious. We’re optimistic because the two belfries were saved.”
Monseigneur Michel Aupetit, the archbishop of Paris, said there was a global “love for this extraordinary cathedral”.Monseigneur Michel Aupetit, the archbishop of Paris, said there was a global “love for this extraordinary cathedral”.
“When we arrived yesterday evening, we wanted to cry and people were crying around us,” he said. “Notre Dame is a symbol, more than a symbol it is the soul of France.”“When we arrived yesterday evening, we wanted to cry and people were crying around us,” he said. “Notre Dame is a symbol, more than a symbol it is the soul of France.”
“Notre Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité , [in the] centre of Paris, is charged with history, with events through the centuries. It draws people, they come to look and they respect the place and they come to pray,” he told BFMTV.“Notre Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité , [in the] centre of Paris, is charged with history, with events through the centuries. It draws people, they come to look and they respect the place and they come to pray,” he told BFMTV.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, who was at the scene on Monday evening, promised an immediate fundraising campaign would be launched as well as an appeal to international experts to help rebuild Notre Dame.Emmanuel Macron, the French president, who was at the scene on Monday evening, promised an immediate fundraising campaign would be launched as well as an appeal to international experts to help rebuild Notre Dame.
Two of the country’s richest tycoons pledged millions to the fund. François Pinault, the head of Kering, which owns fashion labels including Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen and Gucci, pledged €100m from his family’s fortune. Shortly afterwards, Bernard Arnault, the owner of the group Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy declared he would donate €200m. Two of the country’s richest tycoons pledged millions to the fund. €100m has been pledged from the family fortune of François Pinault, the founder of Kering, which owns fashion labels including Alexander McQueen and Gucci. Shortly afterwards, Bernard Arnault, the owner of the LVMH group, declared he would donate €200m.
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, called for a “donors’ conference”, not only to raise money for the reconstruction but to involve experts from around the world. The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, called for a “donors’ conference”, not only to raise money for the reconstruction but to involve experts from around the world. The UN’s Paris-based cultural agency Unesco has also promised to stand “at France’s side” to restore the site, which it declared a world heritage site in 1991.
The United Nations’ Paris-based cultural agency Unesco has also promised to stand “at France’s side” to restore the site, which it declared a world heritage site in 1991. “We are already in contact with experts and ready to dispatch an urgent mission to evaluate the damage, save what can be saved and start elaborating measures for the short- and medium-term,” Unesco’s secretary general, Audrey Azoulay, said on Tuesday.
“We are already in contact with experts and ready to dispatch an urgent mission to evaluate the damage, save what can be saved and start elaborating measures for the short- and medium-term,” Unesco’s secretary general Audrey Azoulay said in a statement on Tuesday.
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Emmanuel MacronEmmanuel Macron
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