Hundreds of firefighters are battling a blaze in Paris after a devastating fire broke out in famous cathedral Notre Dame. The 9 century old structure has suffered devastating damage with its spire and roof colapsed, CBS News reports.
Footage of the spire collapsing were shared by AFP correspondent Patrick Galey.
The moment #NotreDame’s spire fell pic.twitter.com/XUcr6Iob0b
— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019
The entire central spire at Notre Dame cathedral has now collapsed. Reports of people crying in the streets of Paris. #NotreDame #Paris – via @herpsonc pic.twitter.com/QdROfQQSXs
— Jamie Johnson (@JamieoJohnson) April 15, 2019
So far, no injuries nor deaths have been reported. However, the damages seems to be collosal, according to Emmanuel Gregoire, the deputy mayor of Paris.
Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral on fire https://t.co/pGVRxS5WZ1
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) April 15, 2019
“Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame,” Notre Dame spokesperson Andre Finot told French media, according to the Associated Press.
A major evacuation took place after the fire broke out in the 850-year-old cathedral. A spokesperson from the Parisian fire department, declared the fire begun this afternoon. He also said thate it started in the attic of the cathedral. However, so far it is not known the exact reason, or if it was started accidentally or deliberately.
NotreDame spire has just collapsed pic.twitter.com/8X1RcFhR9B
— Agnes Poirier (@AgnesCPoirier) April 15, 2019
The French President Emmanuel Macron has also canceled his further activities due to the terrifying fire.
“Due to the terrible fire ravaging Notre-Dame-de-Paris, the President of the Republic has decided to postpone his speech,” a spokesperson related in a statement.
The president also tweeted:
Notre-Dame de Paris en proie aux flammes. Émotion de toute une nation. Pensée pour tous les catholiques et pour tous les Français. Comme tous nos compatriotes, je suis triste ce soir de voir brûler cette part de nous.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 15, 2019
According to CBS News, “Notre Dame’s construction was started in 1163 during the reign of King Louis VII and completed in 1345. The cathedral is a worldwide Parisian icon and site of some of the most important moments in the history of France. Henry VI of England was crowned inside the cathedral in 1431 and Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned Emperor of France inside the cathedral in 1804.” Almost 13 million tourists are visiting the famous cathedral.
