TRAGEDY AT NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL WILL RISE AGAIN FROM THE ASHES
8NEEWSS
A WORLD-WIDE fundraising campaign has been launched to rebuild Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral that firefighters saved from total destruction.
The fire tore through the roof of the 850-year-old cathedral, causing damage to almost two thirds of the building and bringing dwn the spire.
But heroic firefighters saved the front towers and most of the structure, bringing the inferno under control at 3am local time on Tuesday (11am AEST).
The cause of the blaze was not yet known, but early investigations have ruled out terrorism or arson, with restoration works believed to be the likely source.
French president Emmanuel Macron defiantly declared:
“We will rebuild.
“I say to you very solemnly this evening, this cathedral will be rebuilt … it is part of our destiny in France and our project for years to come.”
He added that the fire would burn for several days, but praised firefighters, including one who was seriously injured, for their brave efforts.
“Tomorrow a national subscription will be launched for people around the country to help rebuild this great Notre Dame,” Mr Macron said.
Many of the cathedral’s most famous artworks and religious relics were saved, including a Crown of Thorns believed to be worn by Christ at his crucifixion.
A priest reportedly entered the burning building and passed out some of the treasures in a daring human chain.
The Pinault family, French billionaires who own luxury brands Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and part of the Christie’s Auction House, pledged 100 million euros ($AU157 million) to the rebuild.
The French Heritage Society, based in the US, organised a fundraiser as the cathedral was burning.
And a series of GoFundMe pages had been set up yesterday with the company working on how to co-ordinate the donations to make sure they went to the rebuild.
A rebuild would likely take decades to recreate the ornate architecture of the cathedral, which was started in 1163.
The Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, which literally translates as Our Lady of Paris, is one of the city’s most iconic buildings. All distances in the city were measured from a brass plate outside the building.
More than 30,000 visitors poured through the building each day, 30 million each year.
Authorities worked swiftly to evacuate people inside the building at the time, with no reported injuries among worshippers or tourists.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison reflected yesterday on his own visit to Notre Dame.
“I fondly remember standing outside Notre Dame with Jen almost 30 years ago,” Mr Morrison tweeted. “So sad to see this beautiful cathedral in flames this morning.”
US President Donald Trump took to Twitter to share his shock yesterday as dramatic footage of the blaze was relayed around the world.
“So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris,” he tweeted. “Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!”
Former US president Barack Obama was one of many who also expressed their sadness.
“Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief,” he said.
“It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost – but it’s also in our nature to rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can.”
The Vatican said in a statement: “The Holy See has seen with shock and sadness the news of the terrible fire that has devastated the Cathedral of Notre Dame, symbol of Christianity in France and in the world.”
Stunned Parisians began singing prayers as they watched their beloved cathedral burn, witnesses said
I SAY TO YOU VERY SOLEMNLY THIS EVENING, THIS CATHEDRAL WILL BE REBUILT PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON