The Fire of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
On April 15, 2019, a structure fire broke out and caused damage to parts of the 850-year-old church. The cathedral’s 150-year-old spire fell down during the five nerve-wracking hours during which firefighters battled the fire. The prospect of the iconic cathedral surviving the terrible fire seemed grim. According to CNN.com, “‘If the flames had actually got to the timber frames of the belfries then we would have lost the cathedral completely because it would have led to a chain reaction of collapse,’ said Gabriel Plus, a spokesman for the fire service.” However, after a grueling five hours of firefighting, the cathedral remained standing.
A number of relics were rescued from the fire, including the Crown of Thorns which some believe was placed on the head of Christ. The cathedral calls it its “most precious and most venerated relic.” French President Emmanuel Macron promised Parisians in an address to the nation that they will “rebuild this cathedral together.” It will take years to rebuild the cathedral, but President Macron is hopeful to complete the restoration by the 2024 Olympics that is to be hosted in Paris. “‘We will rebuild the cathedral even more beautifully and I want it to be finished within five years,’ Macron said from the Elysee Palace. ‘And we can do it.’” France24.com stated.
-Photo Credit: The New York Times