The Paris fire service is not sure it will be able to halt the spread of the fire consuming the roof of Notre-Dame cathedral, a senior fire official at the scene told journalists on Monday night.
“It’s not certain we’ll be able to halt the spread toward the northern bell tower. If that collapses, you can imagine the extent of the damage,” General Jean-Claude Gallet said, adding that 400 firefighters were battling the blaze.
Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, also speaking at the scene, added that saving the gothic monument “is not certain.”
Around 400 firefighters were attempting to stop the destruction of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris on Monday evening, describing the blaze as “difficult” to handle.
Dozens of fire vehicles were at the scene while high-pressure hoses could be seen spraying water onto the collapsed roof and nave area, suspended from cranes.
“We are not sure we can stop the spread to the northern tower,” junior Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned reporters, referring to the two stone towers at the front of the Gothic masterpiece.
“If that collapses, you can imagine the scale of the damage,” he added.
US President Donald Trump had suggested on Twitter that “flying water tankers” could be used to put out the blaze.
“Dumping water from a plane on this type of building would risk bringing down the whole edifice,” France’s Civil Security agency wrote on Twitter.
Paris deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire told the BFM news channel that firefighters had entered the cathedral and had brought out some of its priceless artworks.
But they had been forced to withdraw as the flames spread rapidly through the wooden beams holding up the roof.
“At the moment, the priority is to control the blaze on the inside and to protect the facade,” he said, three hours after the fire broke out at around 6 pm (1600 GMT).
“Obviously we fear the worst in terms of damage given the scale of the fire.”
“It’s a difficult fire,” a fire official told AFP at the scene.
The interior ministry said 400 firefighters were in action in a statement on Twitter.
A massive fire broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday afternoon, sending flames shooting out of the roof of the Catholic landmark and toppling its iconic spire.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known and there have no reports of injuries or fatalities.
Fire officials told Agence France-Presse that the fire was potentially linked to the renovation of the building. Scaffolding could be seen ablaze on the roof of the famous façade.
Church spokesman Andre Finot told French media that the fire cathedral’s frame was also aflame.
“Everything is burning,” Finot said.
There was good news.
“Good news: all the works of art were saved,” reported French journalist Nicolas Delesalle. “The treasure of the Cathedral is intact, the Crown of thorns, the Holy sacraments.”
On Twitter, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo urged residents of the French capital to stay away while firefighters tried to control the flames.
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the scene of the fire early Monday evening.
“Notre-Dame de Paris in flames,” Macron tweeted. “Emotion of a whole nation. Thought for all Catholics and for all French. Like all our compatriots, I am sad tonight to see this part of us burn.”
Hundreds of people gathered in the streets below to watch the blaze, some in tears, others simply shouting its name.
A CNN International correspondent said that blowing cinders were falling on their heads.
Dramatic images posted to social media showed the roof of the medieval cathedral engulfed in flames, and its spire collapsing into the church.
BREAKING: The roof of the Notre Dame Cathedral has collapsed into the church: 1,59210:55 AM – Apr 15, 2019 · Washington, DC1,385 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
The moment #NotreDame’s spire fell128K10:55 AM – Apr 15, 2019 · Paris, France86.6K people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
La flèche de #NotreDame, en flammes, s’effondre https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Societe/Les-terribles-images-de-l-incendie-de-la-cathedrale-Notre-Dame-de-Paris-1618541#xtor=CS2-14 …21.1K10:58 AM – Apr 15, 201926.5K people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
Smoke could be seen billowing from miles away.
Thomas Vampouille✔@tomvampouille · 3hReplying to @tomvampouille
Et ça se calme pas… #NotreDameDeParis
Thomas Vampouille✔@tomvampouille
Le feu s’étend à toute la toiture #NotreDamedeParis pic.twitter.com/42wcwKJ3na94610:13 AM – Apr 15, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy
1,602 people are talking about this
#NotreDame on fire 3,72010:02 AM – Apr 15, 20195,040 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
The Gothic cathedral is one of the world’s most famous tourist attractions.
The foundation stone was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163 and construction of the building took more than two decades. It survived the French Revolution in the late 18th century and experienced a surge in popularity following the publication of Victor Hugo’s novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in 1831.
Parisians gathered for a vigil blocks from the burning cathedral.
Ave Maria47.4K12:12 PM – Apr 15, 201926.2K people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
President Trump addressed the fire at a Monday economic roundtable in Minnesota. He said he was in communication with France. He called Notre Dame a “truly great cathedral” and said the blaze put a “damper on what we’re about to say.”
“They’re having a terrible, terrible fire. You probably saw,” he remarked. “But I will tell you that the fire that they are having at the Notre Dame Cathedral is something like few people have witnessed.”
He continued: “When we left … the plane, it was burning at a level you rarely see a fire burn. It’s one of the great treasures of the world. … Probably, if you think about it, it might be greater than almost any museum in the world, and it’s burning very badly. Looks like it’s burning to the ground.”
While traveling on Air Force One to the event, the president offered advice.
Donald J. Trump✔@realDonaldTrump
So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!96K10:39 AM – Apr 15, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy61.5K people are talking about this
France’s civil security agency says “all means” except for water-dropping aircraft were deployed to tackle the blaze, per the Associated Press. The defense agency said those were unsuitable for fires like the one at Notre Dame because dumping water on the building could cause the whole structure to collapse.
As night fell on Paris, the fire continued to burn.
(AFP)
