A massive fire has broken out at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, causing its iconic spire to collapse.
As of this writing, we don’t know if anyone has been injured or what started the fire. It goes without saying that I truly hope no one was harmed and that those inside were able to make it out safely.
CNN reported that the cathedral was currently under construction or renovation as of last week:
The cathedral has been surrounded by scaffolding and was under construction, as the below photo from last Thursday shows.
This opens the possibility that an accident during construction may have resulted in the cathedral catching fire, but we likely won’t know what caused it for at least a couple of days. Regardless of anything, I truly hope that it wasn’t deliberately set.
CNN also reported that large parts of the roof have been destroyed, and at least seven fire trucks have been dispatched to fight the flames.
Construction of the cathedral began in 1163. Since then, numerous additions and renovations took place, perhaps most notably the spire that was originally constructed some time in the early 13th Century. After centuries of damage from wind, the spire was removed in 1786. In the 19th Century, the spire was rebuilt, using 750 tons of oak covered in lead (read more about ‘The Great Fire of 1879‘).
The footage being posted of the fire – and the spire collapsing – is breathtaking. Regardless of what your religious beliefs are, this is a loss of an enormous piece of history.
A fire has broken out at the iconic Paris landmark Notre-Dame cathedral. The fire has spread rapidly across the building. The cause was not immediately clear, but officials say that it could be linked to renovation work.#UASdifitnahKejiBalasDiTPSpic.twitter.com/H9VC0hHFEV
— Kurmanjan (@TimurLand45) April 15, 2019
A fire has broken out at the iconic Paris landmark Notre-Dame cathedral. The fire has spread rapidly across the building. The cause was not immediately clear, but officials say that it could be linked to renovation work. UASdifitnahKejiBalasDiTPS
On dirait que le toit brûle autour de la flèche de Notre-Dame. Difficile à confirmer d'ici. #NotreDame #feunotredame pic.twitter.com/jY9m27zG7b
— Wladimir Garcin-Berson (@vladogb) April 15, 2019
#NotreDame cathedral in Paris is currently on fire pic.twitter.com/uL91R6n2UJ
— GT Caribbean Network 🎞🎥💻📱📺🌴 (@networkgt) April 15, 2019
Another angle:
La flèche de Notre-Dame vient de s'effondrer sous les exclamations horrifiées des gens #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/kfLNt7rhsZ
— Wladimir Garcin-Berson (@vladogb) April 15, 2019
Wow, the spire at the center of the Notre Dame Cathedral has fallen. pic.twitter.com/L8GtIthSlK
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) April 15, 2019
Church or not, this is a devastating cultural loss for Paris, and the world.
Again – it goes without saying that I hope everyone that was inside made it out safely. It’s a terribel tragedy however you look at it, but the cathedral can be rebuilt, and lost possessions can be replaced. What can’t be replaced are human lives.
Notre Dame is an iconic symbol of faith to people all over the world – and it is heartbreaking to see a house of God in flames. Our thoughts and prayers are with the firefighters on the scene and all the people of Paris. https://t.co/5Pecbf02em
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) April 15, 2019
Even without invoking God in this, from a historical and architectural perspective, it’s a horrible loss.
But what sort of God would destroy a centuries-old historical monument built in his honor?
The best answer I can come up with is: not one who is worthy of your admiration.
Cover image via Getty Images