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Very Sad - Notre Dame Cathedral is Burning Down!

I know this is the Italy forum, but this is where I've been living lately, and I thought everyone here would want to know in case they haven't seen it yet. A horrible fire is burning pretty much out of control in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/notre-dame-fire/index.html

The main spire has now toppled.

Posted by
118 posts

The loss of history is almost unthinkable. I hadn't had a chance to visit Paris yet, and now I will never get to see this magnificent cathedral as it was. I'm sure they will rebuild, but the art and original structure can never be replaced.

Just another reason to get out there and travel while you can. It may be too late tomorrow!

Posted by
1 posts

I am headed to Europe for my very first, and probably only, trip. I was really looking forward to seeing Notre Dame. I am so sad and heartbroken. Just watching the video of the scene, I feel like crying.

Posted by
16687 posts

It is such a sad, sad thing!

But she has survived all sorts of neglect, damage and destruction (the French Revolution did a real number on the poor thing) before and will do so again. The spire, for instance, was a 19th century reconstruction, although the wooden framework of the roof is reported to have been original. :O(

I am reading that some of the bronze statuary had already been removed for ongoing building renovation, and that there was a scramble to remove some of the art. I guess we'll cross fingers that they got to a fair amount of it!

Posted by
118 posts

I am reading that some of the bronze statuary had already been removed for ongoing building renovation, and that there was a scramble to remove some of the art. I guess we'll cross fingers that they got to a fair amount of it!

Oh, I hope so! The fire is so bad, that the following was quoted in one story:

“Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame,” Notre Dame spokesman Andre Finot told French media.

Posted by
16687 posts

One of the announcers doing live coverage on France24 just reported that all the artwork (I imagine that means movable art) and religious treasures were rescued. However, it's still so early in the timeline of events that I'd like to hear confirmation of that.

It's still a very fluid situation, and some current speculation regarding containment isn't good.
Heading over the thread on the France forum where we might hear from folks "on the ground".