Posted on 04/15/2019 2:36:08 PM PDT by Red Badger
French firefighters were racing Monday to save Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris after a colossal fire caused the spire of the historic edifice to crash to the ground and wiped out centuries of heritage.
The fire already destroyed the roof of the 850 year old UNESCO world heritage landmark, whose spectacular gothic spire collapsed before the eyes of horrified onlookers on a previously pristine early spring evening.
The fire, which came as Catholics prepare to celebrate Easter, sent orange flames and clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky as stunned Parisians and tourists watched on in horror.
Some were in tears, others offered prayers from the banks of the river Seine as the inferno devoured the cathedral.
As darkness fell, some 400 firefighters battled against the odds to control the fire and save at least its iconic front towers which were still standing.
"This is really sad —- the saddest thing I've ever stood and watched in my life," said British tourist Sam Ogden, a 50-year-old onlooker, who had come to visit the cathedral with her family.
Gasps and cries of "Oh my god" erupted around an hour after the fire first broke out when the top portion of the church's spire came crashing down.
- 'France is Notre Dame' -
The cause of the blaze was not immediately confirmed. The cathedral had been undergoing intense restoration work which the fire service said could be linked to the blaze.
Last week, dramatic footage had shown workers removing 16 copper statues from the spire which was undergoing a revamp financed by the state and private donors.
Historians expressed incredulity at the collapse of a building that has been a symbol of France for almost a millenium and withstood war and revolution.
(Excerpt) Read more at afp.com ...
Right the fire will destroy them much better
given the unending burning of churches this year
by Islamic terrorists (friends of Macron)
the FRENCH obviously KNEW it was coming, not
to mention that it was specifically targeted
at least twice.
So inadequate fire suppression systems let alone lack of simple WATER and scaffolding made out of wood. The workers were probably third rate. How can a society not adequately protect an iconic building unless the society is slowly rotting away and is losing its identity and priorities? Let’s not forget the Muslim questions.
They often us helicopters. It could pinpoint drop water
Where is Macron ?
That type of action might damage the stone structure.
Took 2 hours + too get water on it. They have Muslim Firemen ?
It’s kind of a big deal. Nobody forced you to check in on the thread.
Yep.
Guaranteed the heat did heavy damage to the stone
“Racing”?
I’m hearing it took TWO HOURS for French firefighters to show up and start watching the fire destroy one of the most important cathedrals in all of Christendom!!!
Ability means nothing. What's important is that they are diverse.
Artworks can be restored, and often have been, from water damage. Much of the art on the main floor of the cathedral is carved stone, anyway, which wouldn’t be damaged.
My theory, for the little it’s worth (well, make that nothing), is that they suspected there was an accelerant, even something like phosphorous, and didn’t want to spread it. The fire fans out almost immediately as if it is following something, perhaps something spread on the framework during the restoration work or planted at various points. But if it is terrorism, the French government is surely never going to admit it, so this will remain speculation.
Im sure it was the muzzies and the dip sh## macron will blame the yellow vests
Indeed! Helicopters are used extensively, to catch fires when they’re small. Negligible lateral forces would be involved.
Made by Pet Goat?
Reminds me of “My Pet Goat”
That was actually my first thought too.
Macron is talking about ‘rebuilding’ NotreDame to reflect the new diversity of France.
Decapitation is a theme. "He ('Issa') will break all the crosses" is a theme.
Of a particular movement, I've heard.
Au contraire. I bet the workers were Third World.
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