‘Notre-Dame is aflame’: Tears in the street as Paris hearts break
Notre Dame cathedral in Paris has been engulfed by an enormous fire.
The roof has been destroyed, and a steeple has collapsed into the burning body of the building, but hundreds of firefighters have been about save some parts of the structure.
It’s not yet known what started the fire, but it may be linked to renovations.
There are no deaths, although it’s believed one firefighter has been seriously injured.
The moment #NotreDame’s spire fell pic.twitter.com/XUcr6Iob0b
— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019
Hugh Whitfeld, 7 News reporter in Paris, told 3AW Drive that Parisians are waking to the devastating sight.
“The city is slowly walking here. People are stopping by and pretty solemnly just staring at what remains of Notre Dame cathedral,” he said.
Just devastating to see the Notre Dame Cathedral burning. Absolutely devastating. The monument’s history, art, and iconic architecture is irreplaceable. The people of Paris, France, and Catholics around the world are in our prayers. #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/u8qutd3AkR
— Dr. Kelli Ward (@kelliwardaz) April 15, 2019
“Désolé mon fils, mais c’est pas tous les jours que Notre-Dame brûle”, dit un père à son bébé qui s’impatiente, à deux mètres d’une femme en larmes, soufflant “faut qu’ils fassent quelque chose ! faut qu’ils fassent quelque chose !” #notredame pic.twitter.com/mPxIbGh8Vp
— Jean Birnbaum (@JeanBirnbaum) April 15, 2019
The blaze started about 2.30am, Melbourne time.
French president Emmanuel Macron arrived at the scene shortly after the fire broke out.
“Notre-Dame is aflame. Great emotion for the whole nation,” he tweeted.
“Our thoughts go out to all Catholics and to the French people.
“Like all of my fellow citizens, I am sad to see this part of us burn tonight.”
President Macron has vowed that the cathedral will be rebuilt.
Ave Maria pic.twitter.com/lb6Y5XV05a
— Ignacio Gil (@Inaki_Gil) April 15, 2019
The altar and other parts of the cathedral floor have been largely untouched.
Many of the priceless relics housed in the cathedral have also been spared.
Jesus’ Crown of Thorns has been saved, and 16 statues which surround the now collapsed spire were removed from Notre Dame last Thursday as part of the restoration project.
US president Donald Trump has conveyed his sadness, describing the Notre Dame as “one of the greatest treasures of the world”.
Work started on the Notre Dame de Paris — which translates to ‘Our Lady of Paris’ — in 1163, and was completed in 1345.
It grew iconic in popular culture through several artistic works, including the Victor Hugo novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which was published in 1831 and adapted by Disney in 1996.
About 13 million people now visit the Catholic landmark every year, believed to be the most visited structure in the French capital.
Chatting with Melbourne tram driver, David, now, who is in Paris on a holiday and captured this footage of the Notre Dame fire https://t.co/N5Nrr8nu3K
— 3AW Breakfast (@RossAndJohn) April 15, 2019
“I’ve seen a lot of fires through my career. This is a huge, HUGE fire.”
“There is a deep feeling of shock on the streets of Paris today.”
— 3AW Breakfast (@RossAndJohn) April 15, 2019
Click PLAY to hear Kate and Quarters cross to Channel 7 reporter Dean Felton, holidaying in Paris with family