The cathedral's wood/metal roof and spire were mostly damaged, with just roughly one-third of the roof remaining. The roof and spire collapsed over the stone vault beneath, which serves as the cathedral's inner ceiling. There was no immediate word on what might have caused the collapse.
Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous buildings in France and the world. It was built between 1163 and 1250 by French architect Charles de Gaulle. The cathedral is one of the largest in Europe and one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in the world. It has been listed as a World Heritage Site since 1979.
The fire started around 5:20 a.m. in the chapel of Saint Anne on the first floor of the north tower. It quickly spread to the rest of the building and within an hour, half of it was in flames. By 7:30 a.m., the whole interior was engulfed in flames. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze before it reached the sacristy but not before it had destroyed many of the cathedral's religious articles including statues, candles, and incense.
There were no casualties reported by firefighters or church officials. However, at least 20 people were treated for smoke inhalation from fleeing the burning building.
Despite previous fears that the north tower would be consumed by flames, he said that the building's twin bell towers had been preserved. The exquisite sandstone front of Notre Dame appears to have survived, as do certain statues and other features within the cathedral's nave and high altar.
The cathedral is "not yet rescued," and a careful operation to remove fused scaffolding surrounding the spire, which was devastated by a terrible fire last April, is required. "The cathedral is still under danger," Georgelin told CNews, a French channel.
Notre Dame has been described as one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. The fire that destroyed much of it was discovered by workers renovating the site as it was being built up for the summer tourist season. It started in a large storage room near the western facade on the second floor of the cathedral's south tower and quickly spread. There are fears that the remaining parts may not be able to withstand further windstorms this winter.
The fire did not start with burning material found at the scene that could have been used as evidence in bringing its cause to light, such as an open flame or smoking materials. "There were no signs of violence against the cathedral," French prosecutor Rémy Heitz said after the fire had been contained.
According to CNN, police sources said investigators believe the fire was intentionally set.
However, Georgelin later told France Info that there was no evidence to support this claim. "We must wait for the results of the investigations before drawing any conclusions," he said.
On April 15, 2019, the world watched as the church's spire collapsed after a fire damaged the centuries-old landmark. Two years later, the church is still undergoing extensive renovation.
Notre Dame was built between 1163 and 1250. The original structure was nearly 100 feet high, but it has been modified over time. The current appearance of the cathedral is from the late 13th century through the early 14th century.
The burning of Paris during the French Revolution caused widespread destruction across France, including at Notre Dame. When the city's citizens voted to rebuild their capital further away from the River Seine, they decided that it should include an imposing new temple to God. The plans for this new cathedral were drawn up by French architect Louis-Marie Bailly and completed in just five years without any major problems. It was not until 1844 that the first stone was laid by King Louis-Philippe.
Notre Dame is one of France's most popular tourist attractions with more than 1.5 million visitors each year. However, the fire has had a negative impact on the cathedral's reputation. Although the flames did not reach the interior, many people are now afraid to enter because they believe it to be unsafe.
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