Charred scaffolding getting removed as restoration in Notre Dame begins

France's iconic Notre-Dame resumes restoration as country begins to reopen

As nations ease lockdown measures, these iconic sites reopen

Six months after a blaze caused devastating damage to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/notre-dame-fire-main-structure-saved-president-emmanuel-macron-says-will-rebuild-paris-historic-cathedral-210759">Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral</a>, nearly one billion euros have been paid or pledged to rebuild the edifice, France's culture minister said Tuesday.

Of the total, 104 million euros have already been paid over by 350,000 donors, Franck Riester told journalists in Paris.

"It is far too early to say whether the amount will be enough," the minister said, adding "the government will assume its responsibilities; we will not leave Notre-Dame in the lurch."

Riester said the total had reached 922 million euros (just over $1 billion).&nbsp;

Three foundations and France's National Monuments Centre have been charged with raising money for rebuilding the cathedral, which saw a fire tearing through its roof on April 15, toppling its historic spire.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/notre-dame-fire-under-control-partially-extinguished-210772">There is no consensus on how the Notre-Dame</a> should look after reconstruction, with some arguing for the spire to be rebuilt exactly as it was, and others making the case for innovation.

On Tuesday, the project's chief architect Philippe Villeneuve said the reconstruction can be done within five years if it is re-made to look as it did before.

France's richest man Bernard Arnault in September signed a formal accord to firm up a pledge of 200 million euros ($220 million). The signing on another 100 million promised by the oil giant Total is awaited in October.

Six months after a blaze caused devastating damage to Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral, nearly one billion euros have been paid or pledged to rebuild the edifice, France's culture minister said Tuesday.

Six months after a blaze caused devastating damage to Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral, nearly one billion euros have been paid or pledged to rebuild the edifice, France's culture minister said Tuesday. Of the total, 104 million euros have already been paid over by 350,000 donors, Franck Riester told journalists in Paris. "It is far too early to say whether the amount will be enough," the minister said, adding "the government will assume its responsibilities; we will not leave Notre-Dame in the lurch." Riester said the total had reached 922 million euros (just over $1 billion). Three foundations and France's National Monuments Centre have been charged with raising money for rebuilding the cathedral, which saw a fire tearing through its roof on April 15, toppling its historic spire. There is no consensus on how the Notre-Dame should look after reconstruction, with some arguing for the spire to be rebuilt exactly as it was, and others making the case for innovation. On Tuesday, the project's chief architect Philippe Villeneuve said the reconstruction can be done within five years if it is re-made to look as it did before. France's richest man Bernard Arnault in September signed a formal accord to firm up a pledge of 200 million euros ($220 million). The signing on another 100 million promised by the oil giant Total is awaited in October.

Nearly one billion euros raised, pledged for rebuilding Notre-Dame

A badly stubbed-out cigarette or an electrical fault could have started the devastating fire that ripped through <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-breaks-out-at-notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-210725">Notre-Dame cathedral </a>in April, Paris prosecutors said Wednesday, ruling out any criminal intent.

French investigators were examining many <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/notre-dame-cathedral-was-probably-caused-by-accident-say-french-prosecutors-210901">hypotheses</a> "including a malfunctioning of the electrical system or a fire which started with a badly stubbed-out cigarette", said a statement, indicating there was no evidence to back up any theory of "a criminal origin" to the fire.&nbsp;

The statement, signed by chief Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz, said the preliminary conclusions had been based on interviews with some 100 witnesses.

But it emphasised that the investigation had still not clarified the actual cause of the fire.&nbsp;

It was not yet possible to conclude if either an electrical fault or stubbed-out cigarette was the most likely theory, it added.

"Deeper investigations, using significant expertise, will now be undertaken," it said.

The statement said a preliminary investigation had now been opened, without targeting any single individual, over involuntary damage caused by negligence.&nbsp;

In April, a spokesman for scaffolding company Le Bras Freres which had been involved in restoration work admitted that workers had smoked on the site from time to time.

"We regret it," the spokesman said at the time, adding: "In no way could a cigarette butt be the cause of the fire at Notre-Dame."

Notre-Dame was gutted by a fire on April 15 that felled its steeple and consumed the lattice of beams supporting the roof.

The damage to the world heritage landmark shocked the world, with President Emmanuel Macron setting an ambitious target of five years to restore the edifice.

A badly stubbed-out cigarette or an electrical fault could have started the devastating fire that ripped through Notre-Dame cathedral in April, Paris prosecutors said Wednesday, ruling out any criminal intent.

A badly stubbed-out cigarette or an electrical fault could have started the devastating fire that ripped through Notre-Dame cathedral in April, Paris prosecutors said Wednesday, ruling out any criminal intent. French investigators were examining many hypotheses "including a malfunctioning of the electrical system or a fire which started with a badly stubbed-out cigarette", said a statement, indicating there was no evidence to back up any theory of "a criminal origin" to the fire. The statement, signed by chief Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz, said the preliminary conclusions had been based on interviews with some 100 witnesses. But it emphasised that the investigation had still not clarified the actual cause of the fire. It was not yet possible to conclude if either an electrical fault or stubbed-out cigarette was the most likely theory, it added. "Deeper investigations, using significant expertise, will now be undertaken," it said. The statement said a preliminary investigation had now been opened, without targeting any single individual, over involuntary damage caused by negligence. In April, a spokesman for scaffolding company Le Bras Freres which had been involved in restoration work admitted that workers had smoked on the site from time to time. "We regret it," the spokesman said at the time, adding: "In no way could a cigarette butt be the cause of the fire at Notre-Dame." Notre-Dame was gutted by a fire on April 15 that felled its steeple and consumed the lattice of beams supporting the roof. The damage to the world heritage landmark shocked the world, with President Emmanuel Macron setting an ambitious target of five years to restore the edifice.

Cigarette, electric fault among possible causes of Notre-Dame fire: Prosecutors

Priests in robes and hard hats worshiped Saturday at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in the first Mass there since the French treasure was devastated by fire in April. The priests were joined by a handful of workers and other worshipers, also in hard hats. The group was limited to about 30 for security reasons, and the solemn ceremony in Paris was shown live by a Catholic channel via YouTube.

Worshiping in Hard Hats: Notre Dame Offers First Mass Since Blaze

Before the restoration of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-breaks-out-at-notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-210725">Notre-Dame de Paris</a> can begin, engineers may have to tap nearly every stone in the cathedral and listen for subtle sounds of damage, according to specialists who repaired one of the largest cathedrals in the world in New York after a devastating 2001 fire.

The rebuilding is unlikely to be quick, warned architects and engineers who spent over five years repairing the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine after its fire. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-president-macron-hopes-to-rebuild-notre-dame-in-five-years-211025/amp">French President Emmanuel Macron</a>`s vow to restore the Paris landmark within five years after a fire consumed Notre-Dame`s roof and toppled its spire on Monday may prove unrealistic, they said.&nbsp;

"Everything is done in `cathedral time,`" said James Patterson, director of facilities and capital projects at St. John`s on Manhattan`s Upper West Side near Columbia University. "Cathedral clocks move much slower than everybody else`s clocks."

Patterson, along with other specialists who worked on the St. John`s restoration, described the challenges and satisfactions that may lie ahead in Paris where $1 billion has been pledged to restore the 850-year-old landmark.

The fire at St. John`s destroyed much of the unfinished north transept of the 19th-century Gothic Revival structure, silenced its grand organ and left what remained blackened with thick, tarry deposits.

Patterson and others recalled the joy of discovering sculptors, stonemasons, stained-glass specialists and others around the world who can rival the artisans of earlier centuries in their decorative work. There were less obvious considerations to contend with, too, such as how to ensure the majesty of the nave`s acoustics were not dampened by repairs to the walls and ceiling.

"The organ masters are very sensitive to it," said Raymond Pepi, the lead building conservationist on the project.&nbsp;

But before all that, the specialists had to inspect, repair and clean the fire-blasted stones.

SOUNDING STONES&nbsp;

As with Notre-Dame, much of St. John`s masonry is limestone. If rapidly heated by a fire and then rapidly cooled by water, limestone can crack, weakening the structure`s stability, and its surfaces can powder and flake.

To check which blocks needed to be patched up or replaced outright, Nat Oppenheimer, the structural engineer on the St. John project, and his colleagues "sounded" thousands of limestone blocks throughout the cathedral over a period of months.&nbsp;

Though more modern technology and techniques were used in aspects of the restoration, Oppenheimer said the old-fashioned approach of tapping stones with a small hammer or dragging a chain across them, listening for tell-tale sounds of hollowness, had not been supplanted.

"It`s like playing an instrument," he said.&nbsp;

Some cracks can be strengthened with plastic or steel pins. The St. John`s team also mixed up centuries-old mortar recipes to fill in damaged joints. Where a stone`s surface is flaking or "sugary," it can be mechanically tooled away, although that comes with drawbacks.

"If one stone is slightly recessed from another stone, that throws a shadow on the stone," said Pepi, the president of Building Conservation Associates, which helped oversee the St. John project. "It`s not aesthetically satisfying or pleasing."

Notre-Dame`s fire appears to have been mainly fueled by centuries-old oak timbers that made up its roof. That will have left deposits of wood fibres and resins clinging to stones throughout the cathedral, and trial and error may be needed to determine the best way to clean them, Pepi said.

At St. John`s, Pepi and his team conducted "literally hundreds" of tests, which took about a year.

"We tested chemical reagents, organic solvents, mineral abrasives," he said. "We tried trying to shoot crushed-up dry ice at the stone under high pressure."

In the end, they settled on spraying the tarry stones with liquid latex rubber. After the rubber dried, it could be peeled away, bringing the deposits with it, leaving clean stone behind.

With the restoration funded in part by an insurance settlement of $42 million, the full length of the cathedral was reopened to the public in 2008, Patterson said, although building work on what is sometimes nicknamed "St. John the Unfinished" continues to this day.

The renovation of Notre-Dame will also be an opportunity to consider modern upgrades.

Pepi also worked on the recent $175 million restoration of St. Patrick`s Cathedral, a landmark Neo-Gothic structure on Manhattan`s Fifth Avenue.&nbsp;

As with Notre-Dame, St. Patrick`s roof has wooden scaffolding, and Pepi recalls the city`s Fire Department all but insisted that a modern fire-prevention system be installed.

"The Fire Department told us: `We`re not going up there if there`s a fire,`" Pepi said.&nbsp;

They settled on a modern misting system that would quell a fire in the rafters, but would minimize water damage that sprinklers might cause in plaster vaulting below.

Before the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris can begin, engineers may have to tap nearly every stone in the cathedral and listen for subtle sounds of damage, according to specialists who repaired one of the largest cathedrals in the world in New York after a devastating 2001 fire.

Before the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris can begin, engineers may have to tap nearly every stone in the cathedral and listen for subtle sounds of damage, according to specialists who repaired one of the largest cathedrals in the world in New York after a devastating 2001 fire. The rebuilding is unlikely to be quick, warned architects and engineers who spent over five years repairing the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine after its fire. French President Emmanuel Macron`s vow to restore the Paris landmark within five years after a fire consumed Notre-Dame`s roof and toppled its spire on Monday may prove unrealistic, they said. "Everything is done in `cathedral time,`" said James Patterson, director of facilities and capital projects at St. John`s on Manhattan`s Upper West Side near Columbia University. "Cathedral clocks move much slower than everybody else`s clocks." Patterson, along with other specialists who worked on the St. John`s restoration, described the challenges and satisfactions that may lie ahead in Paris where $1 billion has been pledged to restore the 850-year-old landmark. The fire at St. John`s destroyed much of the unfinished north transept of the 19th-century Gothic Revival structure, silenced its grand organ and left what remained blackened with thick, tarry deposits. Patterson and others recalled the joy of discovering sculptors, stonemasons, stained-glass specialists and others around the world who can rival the artisans of earlier centuries in their decorative work. There were less obvious considerations to contend with, too, such as how to ensure the majesty of the nave`s acoustics were not dampened by repairs to the walls and ceiling. "The organ masters are very sensitive to it," said Raymond Pepi, the lead building conservationist on the project. But before all that, the specialists had to inspect, repair and clean the fire-blasted stones. SOUNDING STONES As with Notre-Dame, much of St. John`s masonry is limestone. If rapidly heated by a fire and then rapidly cooled by water, limestone can crack, weakening the structure`s stability, and its surfaces can powder and flake. To check which blocks needed to be patched up or replaced outright, Nat Oppenheimer, the structural engineer on the St. John project, and his colleagues "sounded" thousands of limestone blocks throughout the cathedral over a period of months. Though more modern technology and techniques were used in aspects of the restoration, Oppenheimer said the old-fashioned approach of tapping stones with a small hammer or dragging a chain across them, listening for tell-tale sounds of hollowness, had not been supplanted. "It`s like playing an instrument," he said. Some cracks can be strengthened with plastic or steel pins. The St. John`s team also mixed up centuries-old mortar recipes to fill in damaged joints. Where a stone`s surface is flaking or "sugary," it can be mechanically tooled away, although that comes with drawbacks. "If one stone is slightly recessed from another stone, that throws a shadow on the stone," said Pepi, the president of Building Conservation Associates, which helped oversee the St. John project. "It`s not aesthetically satisfying or pleasing." Notre-Dame`s fire appears to have been mainly fueled by centuries-old oak timbers that made up its roof. That will have left deposits of wood fibres and resins clinging to stones throughout the cathedral, and trial and error may be needed to determine the best way to clean them, Pepi said. At St. John`s, Pepi and his team conducted "literally hundreds" of tests, which took about a year. "We tested chemical reagents, organic solvents, mineral abrasives," he said. "We tried trying to shoot crushed-up dry ice at the stone under high pressure." In the end, they settled on spraying the tarry stones with liquid latex rubber. After the rubber dried, it could be peeled away, bringing the deposits with it, leaving clean stone behind. With the restoration funded in part by an insurance settlement of $42 million, the full length of the cathedral was reopened to the public in 2008, Patterson said, although building work on what is sometimes nicknamed "St. John the Unfinished" continues to this day. The renovation of Notre-Dame will also be an opportunity to consider modern upgrades. Pepi also worked on the recent $175 million restoration of St. Patrick`s Cathedral, a landmark Neo-Gothic structure on Manhattan`s Fifth Avenue. As with Notre-Dame, St. Patrick`s roof has wooden scaffolding, and Pepi recalls the city`s Fire Department all but insisted that a modern fire-prevention system be installed. "The Fire Department told us: `We`re not going up there if there`s a fire,`" Pepi said. They settled on a modern misting system that would quell a fire in the rafters, but would minimize water damage that sprinklers might cause in plaster vaulting below.

For Notre-Dame, lessons from a fire-damaged New York cathedral

Watch: WION Fineprint, April 17, 2019

Former first lady Michelle Obama sent her thoughts to the people of Paris, urging them to unite in response to the Notre Dame fire.

Notre Dame fire tragedy: Michelle Obama in solidarity with France

As the smoke began to clear from the devastating fire at Paris' Notre Dame cathedral, the world's attention shifted to the irreplaceable collection of artifacts and cultural items inside the more than 800-year-old landmark. While some of the priceless collection was lost forever in the flames, other pieces were spared.

Notre Dame fire tragedy: 800 years of history partially lost

President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday that France would rebuild the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-broke-out-in-al-aqsa-mosque-as-notre-dame-cathedral-burned-210982">fire-devastated Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral</a>, saying he hoped the work would be done in five years and the French people would pull together to repair their national symbol.

Macron devoted a brief prime-time televised address to Monday's<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/notre-dame-cathedral-was-probably-caused-by-accident-say-french-prosecutors-210901"> catastrophic blaze </a>in the heart of the capital, again postponing planned remarks on his response to months of anti-government protests.

"We will rebuild<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/billionaires-and-private-donors-mobilise-to-rebuild-notre-dame-210887"> Notre-Dame</a> even more beautifully and I want it to be completed in five years, we can do it," Macron said.

"It is up to us to convert this disaster into an opportunity to come together, having deeply reflected on what we have been and what we have to be and become better than we are. It is up to us to find the thread of our national project."

"This is not a time for politics," added Macron, who had cancelled a speech planned on Monday evening on the response to the "yellow vest" protests.

He visited the site of the fire late on Monday and promised then to rebuild the cathedral, parts of which date to the 12th century.

The cathedral spire was destroyed and its roof gutted but the bell towers were still standing and many valuable art works were saved after more than 400 firemen worked to contain the blaze, finally quelling it 14 hours after it began.

As the city and the country grieved for a potent national symbol, billionaires, companies and local authorities were quick to offer donations.

Some 24 hours after the fire started, more than 750 million euros ($845 million) had been pledged, including 500 million from the three billionaire families that own France's giant luxury goods empires: Kering, LVMH and L'Oreal.

Paris public prosecutor Remy Heitz said there was no obvious indication the fire was arson. Fifty people were working on what would be a long and complex investigation, officials said.

The fire swiftly ripped through the cathedral's oak roof supports, where workmen had been carrying out extensive renovations to the spire's timber-framed supports. Police began questioning the workers involved, the prosecutor's office said.

One firefighter was injured but no one else was hurt, with the fire starting at around 6:30 p.m. after the building was closed to the public for the evening.

Firefighters examined the facade, with its spectacular 10-metre filigreed stained-glass rose window still intact. They could be seen walking atop the belfries as police kept the area in lockdown.

Investigators will not be able to enter the cathedral's blackened nave until experts are satisfied its walls withstood the heat and the building is structurally sound.

"Yesterday we thought the whole cathedral would collapse. Yet this morning she is still standing, valiant, despite everything," said Sister Marie Aimee, a nun who had hurried to a nearby church to pray as the flames spread.

"CATHEDRAL OF THE PEOPLE"

Messages of condolence flooded in from around the world.

Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, was praying for those affected, the Vatican said, adding: "Notre-Dame will always remain - and we have seen this in these hours - a place where believers and non-believers can come together in the most dramatic moments of French history."

Britain's Queen Elizabeth expressed deep sadness while her son and heir Prince Charles said he was "utterly heartbroken". Chancellor Angela Merkel offered German help to rebuild a part of "our common European heritage".

Considered among the finest examples of European Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame is visited by more than 13 million people a year. It sits on an island in the Seine, overlooking the Left Bank hangouts of Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso.

"Notre-Dame de Paris is the cathedral of the people, of the people of Paris, of the French people, of the people of the world. It is part of those references of our history, of what we have in common, of what we share," said Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.

It was at Notre-Dame that Henry VI of England was crowned "King of France" in 1431, that Napoleon was made emperor in 1804, and Pope Pius X beatified Joan of Arc in 1909. Presidents Charles de Gaulle and Francois Mitterrand were mourned there.

HUMAN CHAIN

The cathedral is owned by the state and has been at the centre of a dispute between the nation and the Paris archdiocese over who should finance restoration work to collapsed balustrades, crumbling gargoyles and cracked facades.

It was too early to estimate the cost of the damage, said the heritage charity Fondation du Patrimoine.

Paolo Violini, a restoration specialist for Vatican museums, said the pace of the fire's spread had been stunning.

"We are used to thinking about them as eternal simply because they have been there for centuries, or a thousand years, but the reality is they are very fragile," Violini said.

The company carrying out the renovation works when the blaze broke out said it would cooperate fully with the investigation.

"All I can tell you is that at the moment the fire began none of my employees were on the site. We respected all procedures," Julien Le Bras, a representative of family firm Le Bras Freres.

Many relics and artworks were saved. At one point, firefighters, policemen and municipal workers formed a human chain to remove the treasures, including a centuries-old crown of thorns made from reeds and gold, and the tunic believed to have been worn by Saint Louis, a 13th century king of France.

Gold, silver and gem-inlaid chalices, candelabras and many other artefacts survived the blaze.

President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday that France would rebuild the fire-devastated Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, saying he hoped the work would be done in five years and the French people would pull together to repair their national symbol.

President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday that France would rebuild the fire-devastated Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, saying he hoped the work would be done in five years and the French people would pull together to repair their national symbol. Macron devoted a brief prime-time televised address to Monday's catastrophic blaze in the heart of the capital, again postponing planned remarks on his response to months of anti-government protests. "We will rebuild Notre-Dame even more beautifully and I want it to be completed in five years, we can do it," Macron said. "It is up to us to convert this disaster into an opportunity to come together, having deeply reflected on what we have been and what we have to be and become better than we are. It is up to us to find the thread of our national project." "This is not a time for politics," added Macron, who had cancelled a speech planned on Monday evening on the response to the "yellow vest" protests. He visited the site of the fire late on Monday and promised then to rebuild the cathedral, parts of which date to the 12th century. The cathedral spire was destroyed and its roof gutted but the bell towers were still standing and many valuable art works were saved after more than 400 firemen worked to contain the blaze, finally quelling it 14 hours after it began. As the city and the country grieved for a potent national symbol, billionaires, companies and local authorities were quick to offer donations. Some 24 hours after the fire started, more than 750 million euros ($845 million) had been pledged, including 500 million from the three billionaire families that own France's giant luxury goods empires: Kering, LVMH and L'Oreal. Paris public prosecutor Remy Heitz said there was no obvious indication the fire was arson. Fifty people were working on what would be a long and complex investigation, officials said. The fire swiftly ripped through the cathedral's oak roof supports, where workmen had been carrying out extensive renovations to the spire's timber-framed supports. Police began questioning the workers involved, the prosecutor's office said. One firefighter was injured but no one else was hurt, with the fire starting at around 6:30 p.m. after the building was closed to the public for the evening. Firefighters examined the facade, with its spectacular 10-metre filigreed stained-glass rose window still intact. They could be seen walking atop the belfries as police kept the area in lockdown. Investigators will not be able to enter the cathedral's blackened nave until experts are satisfied its walls withstood the heat and the building is structurally sound. "Yesterday we thought the whole cathedral would collapse. Yet this morning she is still standing, valiant, despite everything," said Sister Marie Aimee, a nun who had hurried to a nearby church to pray as the flames spread. "CATHEDRAL OF THE PEOPLE" Messages of condolence flooded in from around the world. Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, was praying for those affected, the Vatican said, adding: "Notre-Dame will always remain - and we have seen this in these hours - a place where believers and non-believers can come together in the most dramatic moments of French history." Britain's Queen Elizabeth expressed deep sadness while her son and heir Prince Charles said he was "utterly heartbroken". Chancellor Angela Merkel offered German help to rebuild a part of "our common European heritage". Considered among the finest examples of European Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame is visited by more than 13 million people a year. It sits on an island in the Seine, overlooking the Left Bank hangouts of Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso. "Notre-Dame de Paris is the cathedral of the people, of the people of Paris, of the French people, of the people of the world. It is part of those references of our history, of what we have in common, of what we share," said Interior Minister Christophe Castaner. It was at Notre-Dame that Henry VI of England was crowned "King of France" in 1431, that Napoleon was made emperor in 1804, and Pope Pius X beatified Joan of Arc in 1909. Presidents Charles de Gaulle and Francois Mitterrand were mourned there. HUMAN CHAIN The cathedral is owned by the state and has been at the centre of a dispute between the nation and the Paris archdiocese over who should finance restoration work to collapsed balustrades, crumbling gargoyles and cracked facades. It was too early to estimate the cost of the damage, said the heritage charity Fondation du Patrimoine. Paolo Violini, a restoration specialist for Vatican museums, said the pace of the fire's spread had been stunning. "We are used to thinking about them as eternal simply because they have been there for centuries, or a thousand years, but the reality is they are very fragile," Violini said. The company carrying out the renovation works when the blaze broke out said it would cooperate fully with the investigation. "All I can tell you is that at the moment the fire began none of my employees were on the site. We respected all procedures," Julien Le Bras, a representative of family firm Le Bras Freres. Many relics and artworks were saved. At one point, firefighters, policemen and municipal workers formed a human chain to remove the treasures, including a centuries-old crown of thorns made from reeds and gold, and the tunic believed to have been worn by Saint Louis, a 13th century king of France. Gold, silver and gem-inlaid chalices, candelabras and many other artefacts survived the blaze.

French President Macron hopes to rebuild Notre-Dame in five years

A huge fire consumed Notre-Dame Cathedral on Monday, gutting the roof of the Paris landmark and stunning France and the world.

All you need to know about Notre Dame cathedral devastated by fire

Notre Dame: Paris landmark and soul of the French nation

A massive fire that devastated Notre-Dame Cathedral is "under control", Paris fire brigade confirmed on Tuesday.

"The fire is completely under control. It is partially extinguished, there are residual fires to put out," AFP quoted, spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Plus as saying.

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/notre-dame-fire-main-structure-saved-president-emmanuel-macron-says-will-rebuild-paris-historic-cathedral-210759">huge fire consumed Notre-Dame Cathedral</a> on Monday, gutting the roof of the Paris landmark and stunning France and the world, but firefighters managed to save the shell of the stone structure and its two main bell towers from collapse.

Flames that began in the early evening burst rapidly through the roof of the eight centuries-old cathedral and engulfed the spire, which toppled, quickly followed by the entire roof.

As <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-breaks-out-at-notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-210725">it burned into the evening</a>, firefighters battled to prevent one of the main bell towers from collapsing and tried to rescue religious relics and priceless artwork.&nbsp;

One firefighter was seriously injured - the only reported casualty, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, country's president Emmanuel Macron said France would launch a campaign to rebuild the cathedral, including through fundraising efforts and by appealing to "talents" from overseas to contribute.

"The worst has been avoided, even if the battle has not been totally won yet," French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters at the scene shortly before midnight.

"We will rebuild it together. It will undoubtedly be part of French destiny and our project for the years to come," a visibly moved Macron said.

The cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century, featured in Victor Hugo's classic novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame". It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts millions of tourists every year.

It is a focal point for French Roman Catholics who like Christians around the world are celebrating Holy Week, marking the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The archbishop of Paris called on all priests in Paris to ring church bells as a gesture of solidarity for Notre-Dame.

A massive fire that devastated Notre-Dame Cathedral is "under control", Paris fire brigade confirmed on Tuesday. "The fire is completely under control. It is partially extinguished, there are residual fires to put out," AFP quoted, spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Plus as saying.

A massive fire that devastated Notre-Dame Cathedral is "under control", Paris fire brigade confirmed on Tuesday. "The fire is completely under control. It is partially extinguished, there are residual fires to put out," AFP quoted, spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Plus as saying. A huge fire consumed Notre-Dame Cathedral on Monday, gutting the roof of the Paris landmark and stunning France and the world, but firefighters managed to save the shell of the stone structure and its two main bell towers from collapse. Flames that began in the early evening burst rapidly through the roof of the eight centuries-old cathedral and engulfed the spire, which toppled, quickly followed by the entire roof. As it burned into the evening, firefighters battled to prevent one of the main bell towers from collapsing and tried to rescue religious relics and priceless artwork. One firefighter was seriously injured - the only reported casualty, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, country's president Emmanuel Macron said France would launch a campaign to rebuild the cathedral, including through fundraising efforts and by appealing to "talents" from overseas to contribute. "The worst has been avoided, even if the battle has not been totally won yet," French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters at the scene shortly before midnight. "We will rebuild it together. It will undoubtedly be part of French destiny and our project for the years to come," a visibly moved Macron said. The cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century, featured in Victor Hugo's classic novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame". It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts millions of tourists every year. It is a focal point for French Roman Catholics who like Christians around the world are celebrating Holy Week, marking the death and resurrection of Jesus. The archbishop of Paris called on all priests in Paris to ring church bells as a gesture of solidarity for Notre-Dame.

Notre Dame fire 'under control, partially extinguished': Firefighters

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday vowed to rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris after a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-breaks-out-at-notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-210725"> colossal fire caused the spire of the historic edifice to crash</a> to the ground and wiped out centuries of heritage.

Macron expressed relief that "the worst had been avoided" in a fire that risked bringing the entire edifice down and left France in shock over the damage to a building described as the soul of the nation.

But the blaze destroyed the roof of the 850-year-old UNESCO world heritage landmark, whose spectacular Gothic spire collapsed before the eyes of horrified onlookers on a previously pristine early spring evening.

The fire, which came as Catholics prepare to celebrate Easter, sent orange flames and clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky as stunned Parisians and tourists watched on in horror.

As darkness fell, some 400 firefighters then battled to control the blaze and save at least its iconic front towers. They finally gained the upper hand as midnight approached.

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(Picture courtesy: Reuters)

<img alt="Notre Dame fire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6d6f6d10-3b0b-4cb9-ad64-43089ada3bdc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Notre%20dame%20fire3.jpg" />

(Picture courtesy: Reuters)

<img alt="Notre Dame fire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="936905eb-5920-4920-b7f6-f202c187ff67" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Notre%20Dame%20fire4.jpg" />

(Picture courtesy: Reuters)

Paris fire brigade chief Jean-Claude Gallet said "we can consider that the main structure of Notre-Dame has been saved and preserved" as well as the two towers.

Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, also present at the scene, said that for the first time "the fire had decreased in intensity" while still urging "extreme caution".

'France is Notre Dame'

"Notre-Dame survived all the wars, all the bombardments. We never thought it could burn. I feel incredibly sad and empty," Stephane Seigneurie, a consultant who joined other shocked onlookers in a solemn rendition of "Ave Maria" as they watched the fire from a nearby bridge.

Gasps and cries of "Oh my god" erupted around an hour after the fire first broke out when the top portion of the church's spire came crashing down.

"We have been dealt a knockout blow," a stricken-looking Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit told reporters.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately confirmed. The cathedral had been undergoing intense restoration work which the fire service said could be linked to the blaze.

French prosecutors said it was being treated as an "involuntary" fire, indicating that foul play was ruled out for now.

Historians expressed incredulity at the collapse of a building that has been a symbol of France for almost a millennium and withstood war and revolution.

"If Paris is the Eiffel Tower then France is Notre Dame. It's the entire culture, entire history of France incarnated in this monument," Bernard Lecomte, a writer and specialist in religious history told BFM TV.

Deputy Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire told the channel that workers were scrambling "to save all the artworks that can be saved." Officials later said teams had managed to salvage an unknown quantity of the cultural treasures.

'Emotion of a nation'

Macron had earlier cancelled a major televised policy speech he was due to give on Monday evening to respond to months of protests and instead headed to the scene in person.

Visibly emotional, he said while the "worst had been avoided" and the facade and two towers saved "the next hours will be difficult".

"And we will rebuild Notre-Dame because it is what the French expect," he said, describing Notre Dame as "the epicentre of our life" and the cathedral of "all the French", whether religious or not.&nbsp;

France's billionaire Pinault dynasty immediately pledged 100 million euros for the effort.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Notre-Dame cathedral a "symbol of European culture" as the blaze raged.

The Vatican on Monday expressed its "incredulity" and "sadness", expressing "our closeness with French Catholics and with the Parisian population."

'Water bombers not used'

There was no immediate indication of any casualties in the blaze.

US President Donald Trump in a tweet said it was "horrible" to watch the fire but caused controversy by offering advice on how to put it out.

"Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!" he said.

But France's civil security service, which oversees crisis management in the country, tweeted back at Trump that the use of water-bombing aircraft was not being considered.

"If used, (this) could lead to the collapse of the entire structure of the cathedral," it said.

'Will never be the same'

The cathedral was located at the centre of the French capital in the Middle Ages and its construction was completed in the mid-12th century after some 200 years of work.

During the French Revolution in the 18th century, the cathedral was vandalised in widespread anti-Catholic violence: its spire was dismantled, its treasures plundered and its large statues at the grand entrance doors destroyed.

It would go on to feature as a central character in a Victor Hugo novel published in 1831, "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" and shortly afterwards a restoration project lasting two decades got underway, led by architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc.

It would survive the devastation of two world conflicts in the 20th century and famously rang its bells on August 24, 1944, the day of the Liberation of Paris from German occupation at the end of the World War II.

"Paris is disfigured. The city will never be like it was before," said Philippe, a communications worker in his mid-30s, who had biked over to the scene after being alerted of the fire by a friend.

Jacky Lafortune, a 72-year-old artist and self-described atheist stood forlornly on the banks of the River Seine starting at the cathedral.

Comparing the mood in the French capital to the aftermath of a terror attack he said: "But this stirs much deeper emotions because Notre-Dame is linked to the very foundations of our culture."

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday vowed to rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris after a colossal fire caused the spire of the historic edifice to crash to the ground and wiped out centuries of heritage.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday vowed to rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris after a colossal fire caused the spire of the historic edifice to crash to the ground and wiped out centuries of heritage. Macron expressed relief that "the worst had been avoided" in a fire that risked bringing the entire edifice down and left France in shock over the damage to a building described as the soul of the nation. But the blaze destroyed the roof of the 850-year-old UNESCO world heritage landmark, whose spectacular Gothic spire collapsed before the eyes of horrified onlookers on a previously pristine early spring evening. The fire, which came as Catholics prepare to celebrate Easter, sent orange flames and clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky as stunned Parisians and tourists watched on in horror. As darkness fell, some 400 firefighters then battled to control the blaze and save at least its iconic front towers. They finally gained the upper hand as midnight approached. (Picture courtesy: Reuters) (Picture courtesy: Reuters) (Picture courtesy: Reuters) Paris fire brigade chief Jean-Claude Gallet said "we can consider that the main structure of Notre-Dame has been saved and preserved" as well as the two towers. Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, also present at the scene, said that for the first time "the fire had decreased in intensity" while still urging "extreme caution". 'France is Notre Dame' "Notre-Dame survived all the wars, all the bombardments. We never thought it could burn. I feel incredibly sad and empty," Stephane Seigneurie, a consultant who joined other shocked onlookers in a solemn rendition of "Ave Maria" as they watched the fire from a nearby bridge. Gasps and cries of "Oh my god" erupted around an hour after the fire first broke out when the top portion of the church's spire came crashing down. "We have been dealt a knockout blow," a stricken-looking Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit told reporters. The cause of the blaze was not immediately confirmed. The cathedral had been undergoing intense restoration work which the fire service said could be linked to the blaze. French prosecutors said it was being treated as an "involuntary" fire, indicating that foul play was ruled out for now. Historians expressed incredulity at the collapse of a building that has been a symbol of France for almost a millennium and withstood war and revolution. "If Paris is the Eiffel Tower then France is Notre Dame. It's the entire culture, entire history of France incarnated in this monument," Bernard Lecomte, a writer and specialist in religious history told BFM TV. Deputy Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire told the channel that workers were scrambling "to save all the artworks that can be saved." Officials later said teams had managed to salvage an unknown quantity of the cultural treasures. 'Emotion of a nation' Macron had earlier cancelled a major televised policy speech he was due to give on Monday evening to respond to months of protests and instead headed to the scene in person. Visibly emotional, he said while the "worst had been avoided" and the facade and two towers saved "the next hours will be difficult". "And we will rebuild Notre-Dame because it is what the French expect," he said, describing Notre Dame as "the epicentre of our life" and the cathedral of "all the French", whether religious or not. France's billionaire Pinault dynasty immediately pledged 100 million euros for the effort. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Notre-Dame cathedral a "symbol of European culture" as the blaze raged. The Vatican on Monday expressed its "incredulity" and "sadness", expressing "our closeness with French Catholics and with the Parisian population." 'Water bombers not used' There was no immediate indication of any casualties in the blaze. US President Donald Trump in a tweet said it was "horrible" to watch the fire but caused controversy by offering advice on how to put it out. "Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!" he said. But France's civil security service, which oversees crisis management in the country, tweeted back at Trump that the use of water-bombing aircraft was not being considered. "If used, (this) could lead to the collapse of the entire structure of the cathedral," it said. 'Will never be the same' The cathedral was located at the centre of the French capital in the Middle Ages and its construction was completed in the mid-12th century after some 200 years of work. During the French Revolution in the 18th century, the cathedral was vandalised in widespread anti-Catholic violence: its spire was dismantled, its treasures plundered and its large statues at the grand entrance doors destroyed. It would go on to feature as a central character in a Victor Hugo novel published in 1831, "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" and shortly afterwards a restoration project lasting two decades got underway, led by architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. It would survive the devastation of two world conflicts in the 20th century and famously rang its bells on August 24, 1944, the day of the Liberation of Paris from German occupation at the end of the World War II. "Paris is disfigured. The city will never be like it was before," said Philippe, a communications worker in his mid-30s, who had biked over to the scene after being alerted of the fire by a friend. Jacky Lafortune, a 72-year-old artist and self-described atheist stood forlornly on the banks of the River Seine starting at the cathedral. Comparing the mood in the French capital to the aftermath of a terror attack he said: "But this stirs much deeper emotions because Notre-Dame is linked to the very foundations of our culture."

Notre Dame fire: Main structure saved; President Emmanuel Macron says will rebuild Paris' historic cathedral

The huge blaze that has devastated Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris has been extinguished, the city's fire service announced on Tuesday, around 15 hours after it first broke out.

"The whole fire has been extinguished. Now we're in the phase of investigating," spokesman Gabriel Plus told reporters, adding that the fire had spread "very quickly" through the wooden roof of the world-renowned monument.

Briefing reporters in front of Notre-Dame in central Paris, Plus said firefighters had focused during the morning on the cathedral's two massive bell towers and making sure they had not been damaged.

"That is the case," he said.

The task now is to monitor the structure, to see if it has moved at all and to put out remaining hot spots, he said, adding that about 100 firemen will remain on site for the whole day.

The huge blaze that has devastated Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris has been extinguished, the city's fire service announced on Tuesday, around 15 hours after it first broke out.

The huge blaze that has devastated Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris has been extinguished, the city's fire service announced on Tuesday, around 15 hours after it first broke out. "The whole fire has been extinguished. Now we're in the phase of investigating," spokesman Gabriel Plus told reporters, adding that the fire had spread "very quickly" through the wooden roof of the world-renowned monument. Briefing reporters in front of Notre-Dame in central Paris, Plus said firefighters had focused during the morning on the cathedral's two massive bell towers and making sure they had not been damaged. "That is the case," he said. The task now is to monitor the structure, to see if it has moved at all and to put out remaining hot spots, he said, adding that about 100 firemen will remain on site for the whole day.

Paris: Notre-Dame fire extinguished, says fire service

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