[Nudel]

Fire engulfs Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, parts of it collapse

Firefighters are battling a massive blaze at the French capital's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, where flames and black smoke were seen shooting from the base of the medieval church's spire on Monday.

• The spire of the historic 

  Limelight - Link watcher

  You're about to enter the following site: Limelight - Link watcher You're about to enter the following site: https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en/ Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy. https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en/ Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy.

  Notre-Dame Cathedral has collapsed as the wooden structure supporting the roof was ravaged by the blaze.
  
• The 12th century cathedral was in the midst of a massive 20year renovation project.
  
• Due to the fire, 

  Limelight - Link watcher

  You're about to enter the following site: Limelight - Link watcher You're about to enter the following site: https://www.france24.com/en/20190415-live-france-emmanuel-macron-speech-responds-yellow-vest-crisis-policies Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy. https://www.france24.com/en/20190415-liv...s-policies Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy.

  President Emmanuel Macron has postponed a highly-anticipated televised speech on the Yellow Vest crisis.
  
• Hundreds of people have taken to the streets in shock to see the fire engulf a symbols 

  Limelight - Link watcher

  You're about to enter the following site: Limelight - Link watcher You're about to enter the following site: https://www.france24.com/en/tag/paris/ Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy. https://www.france24.com/en/tag/paris/ Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy.

  of the capital and one of the world's most famous tourist attractions.
  
• Deputy Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said that workers are scrambling "to save all the artworks that can be saved".
  

On fire since 18.50 CET

---

Livestream RT: 

Limelight - Link watcher

You're about to enter the following site: Limelight - Link watcher You're about to enter the following site: https://youtu.be/TU2oc3D9cQg Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy. https://youtu.be/TU2oc3D9cQg Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy.

https://youtu.be/TU2oc3D9cQg

Livestream france24: 

Limelight - Link watcher

You're about to enter the following site: Limelight - Link watcher You're about to enter the following site: https://www.france24.com/en/20190415-liveblog-fire-paris-france-notre-dame-cathedral Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy. https://www.france24.com/en/20190415-liv...-cathedral Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy.

https://www.france24.com/en/20190415-liv...-cathedral

---

---

 

Update (~20.00 CET): The 96-meter tall middle-tower collapsed entirely. 

Limelight - Link watcher

You're about to enter the following site: Limelight - Link watcher You're about to enter the following site: https://youtu.be/2DllgLQWKv8 Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy. https://youtu.be/2DllgLQWKv8 Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy.

VID (YT)

Update (20:38 CET): Firefighters are now trying to save the two big towers from the fire as its the only part not on fire yet.

Update (21:00 CET): The entire main-roof of the Cathedral collapsed.

Update (21:34 CET): One of the two iconic main towers caught fire. (22:14 -> Special team trying to save the tower - fire itself seems extinguished in it)

Update (22:00 CET): 

Next 90 minutes 'crucial' to saving Notre-Dame
 
A spokesman for the Paris fire department says the next hour and a half will be 'crucial' to determining whether the fire can be contained.
 
"We are not certain we can stop the flames spreading in the north tower," said general Jean-Claude Gallet of the Paris fire department.

Update (22:06 CET): Firefighters rushing to save artwork. Reuters has more from firefighters at the scene who say all efforts are being directed at preventing the collapse of the northern tower and at saving the artwork at the back of the cathedral.

Update (22:10 CET): A statement just come from the French interior ministry says... Firefighters may not be able to save Notre Dame

Update (22:39 CET): According to WELT & france24 fire crews gave up parts of the Cathedral. They now try to save the two iconic twin-towers under all circumstances.

Update (22:44 CET): One of the iconic main-twin-towers is now on fire. Fire crews say it will be impossible to extinguish the fire if it reaches a high level in the tower as they can not reach the fire then.

Update (23:16 CET): Firefighter 'seriously injured' - One of the 400 firefighters battling the blaze has been seriously injured, says general Jean-Claude Gallet of the Paris fire brigade, confirming that his crews have managed to stop the flames from reaching the belfry and prevented a catastrophic collapse.

Update (23:33 CET): According to multiple sources the two towers are safe for now. There is a quite big chance that they will survive this inferno.

Update (23:46 CET): Macron arrived at the scene giving a speech:

Macron says that the worst has been avoided, however, with reference to reports from officials that the main structure has been saved. He expresses his sympathy for Catholics around the world and vows that "we will rebuild" Notre Dame, with an international fundraising campaign being set up for the reconstruction.

Update (23:48 CET): Firefighters say main structure 'saved and preserved'! A spokesman for the Paris firefighters says the two towers and the main structure of the cathedral have been saved from complete destruction as the flames begin to wane. Three or four more hours needed to contain the fire, he adds

Update (23:49 CET): First report of the fire decreasing.

Update (23:53 CET): Paris prosecutors say that a preliminary investigation suggests the fire was started accidentally, AP reports.

---

[Tom*]

what a shame

[Soviethooves]

Hopefully the restoration is as close to the piece of history it replaces. Shame to see that architectual beauty get damaged. Did they find the cause of the fire?

[Nudel]

Hopefully the restoration is as close to the piece of history it replaces. Shame to see that architectual beauty get damaged. Did they find the cause of the fire?

Not yet as the whole cathedral is still on fire. It most likely has something to do with the construction work.

[Toxic]

I'm glad I was able to tour Notre Dame before this tragedy. Hope nobody is injured during operations.

[Lord Octagon]

Glad that the Holy Crown of Thorns, as well as the fragment of the True Cross and a Holy Nail were unharmed. According to Fr. Frederic, one of the priests at Notre-Dame, the artworks and treasury of the cathedral remain intact.

[Barkles]

I saw Notre Dame when I went to Paris years ago, beautiful building real shame to see this

[jess]

huge shame about the building catching on fire, I was planning on visiting it next year when... well when it wasnt on fire or burning down...

[Lord Octagon]

huge shame about the building catching on fire, I was planning on visiting it next year when... well when it wasnt on fire or burning down...

<3 French billionaires have pledged hundreds of millions for reconstruction

[Jeff Ford]

Such a shame. It's so nice to see the French people come out and say prayers and sing.

[Montyfatcat]

Glad that the Holy Crown of Thorns, as well as the fragment of the True Cross and a Holy Nail were unharmed. According to Fr. Frederic, one of the priests at Notre-Dame, the artworks and treasury of the cathedral remain intact.

Unfortunately some people are misunderstanding the fire. Some are saying it's a punishment upon Macron, others are pointing out the cross survived therefore it was "cause of Satan"... Twitter is a weird place. Anyway, yes, it is good a large proportion of the rear end survived, such beautiful art. Hope they can restore it.

[Lord Octagon]

Glad that the Holy Crown of Thorns, as well as the fragment of the True Cross and a Holy Nail were unharmed. According to Fr. Frederic, one of the priests at Notre-Dame, the artworks and treasury of the cathedral remain intact.

Unfortunately some people are misunderstanding the fire. Some are saying it's a punishment upon Macron, others are pointing out the cross survived therefore it was "cause of Satan"... Twitter is a weird place. Anyway, yes, it is good a large proportion of the rear end survived, such beautiful art. Hope they can restore it.

Lol. Glad French billionaires chipped in to have it restored to its proper design - rather than what Macron had in mind before he had to delete his tweet. “a way consistent with our modern diverse nation." - Yeah no thanks.

[Daley]

A shame for this to happen to such an iconic building. The whole cross thing is just because the burning temperature isn't high enough for it to be effected, people really gotta stop seeing stuff in everything.

[Ishnifan]

clears throat

Limelight - Link watcher

You're about to enter the following site: Limelight - Link watcher You're about to enter the following site: https://gyazo.com/d8be811883a72af3ad7fde2894405932 Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy. https://gyazo.com/d8be811883a72af3ad7fde2894405932 Please note: You should only visit trusted sites. We are not responsible for any loss of your privacy.

https://gyazo.com/d8be811883a72af3ad7fde2894405932