01of 16Notre Dame Cathedral on FireThe firstfire alarm at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was triggeredaround 6:20 p.m. local time on April 15, 2019, theNew York Timesreports. Flames tore through the structure’s roof, and the ceiling began collapsing as onlookers watched the landmark become engulfed. The cathedral, which was completed in 1345, is over 850 years old. It famously served as the setting for Victor Hugo’s 1831 novelThe Hunchback of Notre-Dame,and the site of the crownings of Henry VI of England and emperor Napoléon Bonaparte of France.
01of 16
Notre Dame Cathedral on Fire
The firstfire alarm at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was triggeredaround 6:20 p.m. local time on April 15, 2019, theNew York Timesreports. Flames tore through the structure’s roof, and the ceiling began collapsing as onlookers watched the landmark become engulfed. The cathedral, which was completed in 1345, is over 850 years old. It famously served as the setting for Victor Hugo’s 1831 novelThe Hunchback of Notre-Dame,and the site of the crownings of Henry VI of England and emperor Napoléon Bonaparte of France.
02of 16
Undergoing Renovations
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty
03of 16Visible from the Seine RiverA massive plume of smoke was visible over the River Seine, which surrounds the Catholic cathedral on Paris' Île de la Cité, an island in the center of the capital.
03of 16
Visible from the Seine River
A massive plume of smoke was visible over the River Seine, which surrounds the Catholic cathedral on Paris' Île de la Cité, an island in the center of the capital.
04of 16
A Secure Perimeter
AP/Shutterstock
05of 16A Likely DestructionA spokesperson for the cathedraltold the BBCthat the whole structure is “burning,” adding, “There will be nothing left.”
05of 16
A Likely Destruction
A spokesperson for the cathedraltold the BBCthat the whole structure is “burning,” adding, “There will be nothing left.”
06of 16An International TragedyFRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty"Our Lady of Paris in flames. Emotion of a whole nation. Thoughts for all Catholics and for all French. Like all our countrymen, I’m sad tonight to see this part of us burn," French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a tweet translated from French. He canceled a speech that he was scheduled to deliver Monday night to go to the site.
06of 16
An International Tragedy
“Our Lady of Paris in flames. Emotion of a whole nation. Thoughts for all Catholics and for all French. Like all our countrymen, I’m sad tonight to see this part of us burn,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a tweet translated from French. He canceled a speech that he was scheduled to deliver Monday night to go to the site.
07of 16
The Spire Has Fallen
IAN LANGSDON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
08of 16A World in MourningIAN LANGSDON/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockAs onlookers watched the cathedral burn, they mourned the historic building. “It hurts to watch this. The cathedral is the symbol, the heart of Paris,” Pierre-Eric Trimovillas told theTimesbefore saying that the crowd gasped and cried while watching the spire fall. He added: “Paris is beheaded.”
08of 16
A World in Mourning
As onlookers watched the cathedral burn, they mourned the historic building. “It hurts to watch this. The cathedral is the symbol, the heart of Paris,” Pierre-Eric Trimovillas told theTimesbefore saying that the crowd gasped and cried while watching the spire fall. He added: “Paris is beheaded.”
09of 16Joining TogetherThibault Camus/AP/REX/ShutterstockAs night fell, groups ofonlookers began singing “Ave Maria"while watching the cathedral go up in flames. Although officials had previously thought the structure would be unsalvageable after the blaze, a fire officialtold CNBCthat as of 11:20 p.m. local time, the main building’s integrity had been saved and the fire had been contained.
09of 16
Joining Together
Thibault Camus/AP/REX/Shutterstock
As night fell, groups ofonlookers began singing “Ave Maria"while watching the cathedral go up in flames. Although officials had previously thought the structure would be unsalvageable after the blaze, a fire officialtold CNBCthat as of 11:20 p.m. local time, the main building’s integrity had been saved and the fire had been contained.
10of 16
A Landmark Preserved
Tuesday morning the damage could be assessed in daylight. Photos inside the church show the sky clearly visible through the remains of the roof.
11of 16Fallen DebrisCharred material from the roof litters the floor of the church, where rows of wooden pews still stand.
11of 16
Fallen Debris
Charred material from the roof litters the floor of the church, where rows of wooden pews still stand.
12of 16
A Glimmer of Hope
YOAN VALAT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
13of 16Tarnished ExteriorOne of the cathedral’s famed rose windows is blakened, but the stonework is intact. An investigation into the origin of the blaze is ongoing, but for now, officials are treating it as an accident, not a deliberate act.
13of 16
Tarnished Exterior
One of the cathedral’s famed rose windows is blakened, but the stonework is intact. An investigation into the origin of the blaze is ongoing, but for now, officials are treating it as an accident, not a deliberate act.
14of 16Plans to RebuildMacron delivered a speech Monday night, in which he said the cathedral would be rebuilt and a public fundraising drive would open Tuesday morning in France.“The worst has been avoided, but the battle isn’t fully won yet,” he told crowds outside of the church.“It is with pride I tell you tonight we will rebuild this cathedral,” he added. “We will rebuild Notre Dame because it is what the French expect of us, it is what our history deserves, it is, in the deepest sense, our destiny.”
14of 16
Plans to Rebuild
Macron delivered a speech Monday night, in which he said the cathedral would be rebuilt and a public fundraising drive would open Tuesday morning in France.
“The worst has been avoided, but the battle isn’t fully won yet,” he told crowds outside of the church.
“It is with pride I tell you tonight we will rebuild this cathedral,” he added. “We will rebuild Notre Dame because it is what the French expect of us, it is what our history deserves, it is, in the deepest sense, our destiny.”
15of 16Donations Pouring InSeveral of France’s wealthiest citizens, including billionaire LVMH head Bernard Arnault and François-Henri Pinault, husband to Salma Hayek, have pledged hundreds of million dollars in donations to help rebuild the cathedral. So far over 600 million euros has been raised overnight.
15of 16
Donations Pouring In
Several of France’s wealthiest citizens, including billionaire LVMH head Bernard Arnault and François-Henri Pinault, husband to Salma Hayek, have pledged hundreds of million dollars in donations to help rebuild the cathedral. So far over 600 million euros has been raised overnight.
16of 16
Rose Window Preserved
source: people.com
