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Notre-Dame fire: Rain threatens France's damaged cathedral | Notre-Dame fire: Rain threatens France's damaged cathedral |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Architects working on preserving Notre-Dame are rushing to cover the cathedral before rain can cause further damage. | Architects working on preserving Notre-Dame are rushing to cover the cathedral before rain can cause further damage. |
Rain is forecast for the French capital on Wednesday, with further showers predicted for Thursday. | |
The cathedral's vault, which partly collapsed in the fire, is already partly waterlogged after fire-fighting efforts. | The cathedral's vault, which partly collapsed in the fire, is already partly waterlogged after fire-fighting efforts. |
Architects fear that heavy rainfall could result in further collapse of the 800-year-old cathedral. | |
The chief architect of Notre-Dame , Philippe Villeneuve, told French broadcaster BFMTV that erecting an emergency tarpaulin was "the highest priority". | The chief architect of Notre-Dame , Philippe Villeneuve, told French broadcaster BFMTV that erecting an emergency tarpaulin was "the highest priority". |
"The beams are there, the tarpaulin is arriving. The climbers, since it will be climbers who will do that, and the scaffolders, are ready," he said. | "The beams are there, the tarpaulin is arriving. The climbers, since it will be climbers who will do that, and the scaffolders, are ready," he said. |
There are already plans to erect a large, purpose-built "umbrella" on the roof of the landmark, which will have its own peak and protect the structure while reconstruction takes place. | There are already plans to erect a large, purpose-built "umbrella" on the roof of the landmark, which will have its own peak and protect the structure while reconstruction takes place. |
But the umbrella is not ready - and the threat of impending rain is too serious to wait. | |
There were fears the 800-year-old cathedral could be completely destroyed during the fierce blaze on 15 April. Firefighters managed to save the structure and much of its interior - but emergency work has been taking place since to stabilise the building. | There were fears the 800-year-old cathedral could be completely destroyed during the fierce blaze on 15 April. Firefighters managed to save the structure and much of its interior - but emergency work has been taking place since to stabilise the building. |
Three large holes in the cathedral's vault - its arched ceiling - are the most obvious signs of damage. One was made by the collapse of the cathedral's spire. | Three large holes in the cathedral's vault - its arched ceiling - are the most obvious signs of damage. One was made by the collapse of the cathedral's spire. |
But its famous rosette stained-glass windows have been covered with protective material and reinforced with timber posts. | But its famous rosette stained-glass windows have been covered with protective material and reinforced with timber posts. |
What next for Notre-Dame? | What next for Notre-Dame? |
French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild the symbol of Paris within five years - in time for the Olympics in the city scheduled for 2024. | French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild the symbol of Paris within five years - in time for the Olympics in the city scheduled for 2024. |
The cost is likely to be enormous, with hundreds of millions already pledged by individuals and businesses both in France and from around the world. | The cost is likely to be enormous, with hundreds of millions already pledged by individuals and businesses both in France and from around the world. |
Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has suggested an international competition for designs for the new spire, to replace the 19th-century design by Eugene Viollet-le-Duc which collapsed. | Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has suggested an international competition for designs for the new spire, to replace the 19th-century design by Eugene Viollet-le-Duc which collapsed. |
In the meantime, however, plans are in motion to build a temporary wooden cathedral in the square outside to continue Catholic services on the grounds. The idea which has already earned the approval of Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo. | In the meantime, however, plans are in motion to build a temporary wooden cathedral in the square outside to continue Catholic services on the grounds. The idea which has already earned the approval of Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo. |
Notre Dame was already undergoing extensive restoration work when the fire broke out. It is not yet clear if that contributed to the blaze, or what the cause was. | Notre Dame was already undergoing extensive restoration work when the fire broke out. It is not yet clear if that contributed to the blaze, or what the cause was. |
Alongside protecting the cathedral from the rain, the removal of the damaged scaffolding is one of the first steps towards the cathedral's full restoration - a process that could take weeks. | Alongside protecting the cathedral from the rain, the removal of the damaged scaffolding is one of the first steps towards the cathedral's full restoration - a process that could take weeks. |