Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral engulfed by fire

Reuters,MSN ^ | 4/15/2019 | not listed

[sodpoodle]

PARIS, April 15 (Reuters) - Notre-Dame Cathedral went up in flames on Monday in a roaring blaze that devasted the Parisian landmark, one of France's most visited places.

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Flames burst through the roof of the centuries-old cathedral and quickly engulfed the spire, which collapsed.

A huge plume of smoke wafted across the city and ash fell over a large area.

Firefighters cleared the area around the cathedral, which marks the very center of Paris.

President Emmanuel Macron canceled an address to the nation that he had been due to give later on Monday evening. A presidential official said Macron was to go to the scene of the blaze.

"A terrible fire is under way at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris," Mayor Anne Hidalgo said on Twitter.

France 2 television reported that police were treating the incident as an accident.

[RedMonqey]

"The National Cathedral is Protestant,,,not Catholic with statues and beautiful art.”

I was speaking more to the skill of the craftsmen creating the stone, glass and wood work rather that the religious inspiration of the art being made.

I'm sure a Catholic artisans would feel a bit more satisfied with his work and the millions of Catholics who would draw inspiration from it's beauty but it shouldn't prevent a Protestant from admiring it elegance as well(Well, it won't prevent me, a Protestant who feels great sorry from the destruction from the beautiful elegance and sheer magnitude from the greatness of the medieval Notre Dame Cathedral)
It boggles one's mind that this structure was built at a time where human labour with hand tools such as a hammer and chisel and "powered tools" were the aid of oxen. Such rudimentary tools constructed this wonder of the ancient world what out last two world wars, countless rebellions, invasions and earthquakes only to succumb to a careless construction worker.

[RedMonqey]

"The world will make a point of rebuilding it. Art, windows and relics of saints will be lost, but Faith will persevere.”

I hope they take care and rebuild it as their forebears would have constructed it.

Our local town got hit with a bad tornado and several churches had their steeples ripped off. Instead of rebuilding them as they were, they welded a triangle of steel beams and "celebrated" it as a modern art" It looks like cheap trash and a downtown eyesore. i hope Paris does better..

[Windflier]

I remember standing near a wall and placing my hand upon it on the inside, it was as if I could feel the energy of the millions of souls who had sought refuge there.

So well said. I felt the exact same thing when I visited Notre Dame. It's as if the stones of the building have absorbed the thoughts, prayers, and life energy of those who have passed through its doors.

[Windflier]

The civilization to even honor such an edifice is no longer active and healthy.

I think you're going to be surprised by the worldwide outpouring of shock and loss over this incident, and the subsequent level of support for the rebuilding effort.

Watch and see. Notre Dame is going to become the focal point of a rebellious resurgence of western culture and religion.

[Windflier]

It can’t happen unless we raise the medieval guilds from the dead.

There are apparently guilds in France that have preserved the medieval arts and craftsmanship that went into building Notre Dame. Someone posted info about them on the main thread.

[trebb]

Yep - we have an off-duty cop that is armed but with 500 or more in the seats he’s not enough....;-}

[Vermont Lt]

What exactly about a fire made your church experience more dangerous?

You are a paranoid lunatic.

[infool7]

Amen!

7

[Moltke]

Interesting, thanks. But I’d be very surprised if with all the trees out there they couldn’t find a few suitable ones for this particular task. OK, just my gut feeling...

[Moltke]

Use steel trusses in the rework.

There ya go! Of course, it'll pi$$ off the traditionalists. Disclaimer: I am not an architect...

[V_TWIN]

If everybody at one of your services that was carrying suddenly started to glow blue, you might be surprised at the number. lol

[trebb]

Probably - surprised and heartened....

[Born to Conserve]

Really? People here on FR are taking the government line until convinced otherwise?

— THE MOST ICONIC CHURCH IN PARIS BURNS —

Nooo, not related to the ongoing MUSLIM INVASION. Must have been an electrical short circuit, or lightening, or spontaneous combustion, just like the government says.

... FR has an infestation.

[jmacusa]

Thanks for the diagnosis doctor.

[Old Grumpy]

You’re so right: pictures do not do it justice. I got my album out last night and looked at the pictures I took of Notre Dame. I remember when we were inside and looking at the stained glass windows, I felt a lump in my throat and tears came to my eyes. You simply cannot take it all in. Now I wish I had taken twice as many pictures as I did then.

[Windflier]

I must have snapped off two rolls of film when I was there in ‘89. I’ve got them safely collected in a photo album now.

I almost wish I’d snapped more. As you said, there was just so much detail to take in.

[Old Grumpy]

We’re both very fortunate to have seen Notre Dame. We can always be happy for that and cherish our memories of it. :^)