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French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, after a colossal fire tore through the building, sending the spire crashing to the ground and wiping out centuries of heritage.
Macron expressed relief that "the worst had been avoided" in a blaze that had at one point threatened the entire edifice, and left France in shock over the damage to a building described as the soul of the nation. The inferno destroyed the roof of the 850-year-old UNESCO world heritage landmark, whose spectacular Gothic spire collapsed as orange flames and clouds of grey smoke billowed into the sky.
Here are the highlights over the Notre-Dame fire:
Bells To Toll Across England For Notre-Dame
Church bells will toll across England on Thursday in "solidarity" with France and its people as they mourn the Notre-Dame blaze, Prime Minister Theresa May said.
Pledges from French billionaires, businesses and the public sector to help rebuild Notre-Dame cathedral reached nearly 700 million euros (790 million dollars) on Tuesday amid an outpouring of public support for one of Europe's most iconic monuments.
"Some weaknesses" have been identified in the structure of the fire-ravaged Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, but overall the monument "is holding up ok," junior interior minister Laurent Nunez said on Tuesday.
The artworks evacuated from Notre-Dame Cathedral during the blaze on Monday will be transferred to the Louvre Museum, the French Culture Minister Franck Riester told reporters.
"Some weaknesses" have been identified in the structure of the fire-ravaged Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, but overall the monument "is holding up ok," junior interior minister Laurent Nunez said.
"Some weaknesses have been identified particularly in the vault and the gable of the northern transept, which have to be secured," Nunez told reporters at the scene, adding that five neighbouring buildings had been evacuated.
French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Notre Dame with Pope Francis later today, the French presidency announced
The fire at Notre-Dame cathedral has been extinguished, the Paris fire service announced on Tuesday morning, around 15 hours after it first broke out.
"The whole fire has been extinguished. Now we're in the phase of investigating," spokesman Gabriel Plus told reporters at around 10:00 am (0800 GMT), adding that the fire had spread "very quickly" through the wooden roof of the world renowned monument.
Firefighters in Paris say that the blaze at the Notre Dame cathedral is fully extingushed
French billionaire businessman Bernard Arnault's family and his LVMH luxury goods group will donate 200 million euros ($226 million) to help repair Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral, said a statement issued on behalf of Arnault.
"The Arnault family and the LVMH group would like to show their solidarity ata this time of national tragedy, and are joining up to help rebuild this extraordinary cathedral, which is a symbol of France, of its heritage and of French unity," said the statement.
Arnault's pledge follows a similar 100 million euros donation for Notre-Dame from Francois Henri Pinault, who heads the Kering luxury goods company.
French magnate Arnault, LVMH pledge 200 million euros for Notre-Dame: AFP
Pope Francis "with France" over the Notre Dame fire, says the Vatican: news agency AFP
French junior interior minister Laurent Nunez said that the cause of the fire at the Notre Dame cathedral is still not known and authorities are continuing their probe into the incident, according to news agency Reuters
"These horrible images of Notre-Dame on fire are painful. Notre-Dame is a symbol of France and of our European culture. Our thoughts are with our French friends," German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said
"My thoughts are with the people of France tonight and with the emergency services who are fighting the terrible blaze at Notre-Dame Cathedral," UK Prime Minister Theresa May said
"So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!" US President Donald Trump tweeted
"Horrified by the pictures coming from Paris with the fire engulfing Notre-Dame Cathedral -- a unique example of world heritage that has stood tall since the 14th century. My thoughts are with the people and government of France," United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said
"We express our closeness with French Catholics and with the Parisian population. We pray for the firefighters and for all those who are trying their best to tackle this dramatic situation," the Vatican spokesperson said
The European Union reacts to the Notre Dame fire
Notre Dame "belongs to the whole of humanity. It has inspired writers, painters, philosophers and visitors who have come from all round the world," European Union Commission head Claude Juncker said.
"Notre Dame of Paris is Notre-Dame of the whole of Europe. We are all with Paris today," European Union Council President Donald Tusk said.
Notre Dame is one of the world's great treasures, and we're thinking of the people of France in your time of grief. 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. pic.twitter.com/SpMEvv1BzB
- Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 15, 2019
Notre Dame Fire: Notre-Dame fire "under control, partially extinguished": firefighters
Notre-Dame fire "under control, partially extinguished": firefighters, reports news agency AFP
Notre-Dame Fire: French Billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault pledges 100 million Euros to rebuild Notre-Dame
French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault pledged 100 million euros ($113 million) on Monday towards the rebuilding of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, which was partly gutted by a devastating fire, reported news agency AFP.
In a statement sent to AFP the CEO of the Kering group, which owns Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent fashion houses, said the money towards "the effort necessary to completely rebuild Notre-Dame" would be paid by the Pinault family's investment firm Artemis.
In a statement sent to AFP the CEO of the Kering group, which owns Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent fashion houses, said the money towards "the effort necessary to completely rebuild Notre-Dame" would be paid by the Pinault family's investment firm Artemis.
Notre-Dame Fire: "We will rebuild Notre-Dame", says French President Emmanuel Macron
"We will rebuild Notre-Dame", says French President Emmanuel Macron: news agency AFP
Notre-Dame Fire: "Worst has been avoided," says France President Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron says 'worst has been avoided' in Notre-Dame fire, reported news agency AFP.
Read Here: Notre Dame Fire, Paris, France: Notre Dame Cathedral Fire Is So Horrible To Watch: Donald TrumpNotre Dame Fire: US President Donald Trump on Monday called the blaze engulfing Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris "horrible" and suggested the deployment of flying water tankers.
Notre Dame Fire: Main Structure of Notre-Dame "saved" says top fire official in Paris
The main structure of Notre-Dame cathedral in central Paris has been saved after hours of fire-fighting to put out a devastating blaze, the city's top fire official said late Monday, reported news agency AFP.
"We can consider that the main structure of Notre-Dame has been saved and preserved," Paris fire brigade chief Jean-Claude Gallet told reporters outside the cathedral, adding it appeared that the two main towers of the building had now been saved.
"We can consider that the main structure of Notre-Dame has been saved and preserved," Paris fire brigade chief Jean-Claude Gallet told reporters outside the cathedral, adding it appeared that the two main towers of the building had now been saved.
Notre Dame Fire: 400 fire fighters battling to save Notre Dame: AFP
Around 400 firefighters were attempting to stop the destruction of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris on Monday evening, describing the blaze as "difficult" to handle, reported news agency AFP.
Dozens of fire vehicles were at the scene while high-pressure hoses could be seen spraying water onto the collapsed roof and nave area, suspended from cranes.
"We are not sure we can stop the spread to the northern tower," junior Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned reporters, referring to the two stone towers at the front of the Gothic masterpiece.
"If that collapses, you can imagine the scale of the damage," he added.
Dozens of fire vehicles were at the scene while high-pressure hoses could be seen spraying water onto the collapsed roof and nave area, suspended from cranes.
"We are not sure we can stop the spread to the northern tower," junior Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned reporters, referring to the two stone towers at the front of the Gothic masterpiece.
"If that collapses, you can imagine the scale of the damage," he added.
Notre Dame Cathedral Fire: Donald Trump calls the Notre Dame fire "horrible"
The cause of the blaze was not immediately confirmed, but the cathedral had been undergoing intense restoration work.
US President Donald Trump on Monday called the blaze engulfing Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris "horrible" and suggested the deployment of flying water tankers, reported AFP.
"So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!" Trump tweeted.
"So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!" Trump tweeted.
Fire spread rapidly through a major portion of the magnificent Gothic cathedral at the heart of Paris, causing a spire to collapse and raising fears over the buildingSo horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2019
The cause of the blaze was not immediately confirmed, but the cathedral had been undergoing intense restoration work.
Notre Dame Fire: French Fire services "not sure" if Notre Dame fire can be stopped
The Paris fire service is not sure it will be able to halt the spread of the fire consuming the roof of Notre-Dame cathedral, a senior fire official at the scene told journalists on Monday night, news agency AFP reported.
"It's not certain we'll be able to halt the spread toward the northern bell tower. If that collapses, you can imagine the extent of the damage," General Jean-Claude Gallet said, adding that 400 firefighters were battling the blaze.
Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, also speaking at the scene, added that saving the gothic monument "is not certain."
"It's not certain we'll be able to halt the spread toward the northern bell tower. If that collapses, you can imagine the extent of the damage," General Jean-Claude Gallet said, adding that 400 firefighters were battling the blaze.
Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, also speaking at the scene, added that saving the gothic monument "is not certain."
Notre Dame Fire: Catholic Church "prays" for Notre Dame cathedral
The Catholic Church in the Holy Land said it is praying the fire that ripped through the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris on Monday was "not intentional" while expressing solidarity with the church in France, news agency AFP reported.
"We pray that there will be no injuries, for the fire not to be intentional and for least possible damage to the Church," a statement released in Jerusalem said.
"We express our solidarity with (the) Church in France," the statement added.
It came as France's deputy interior minister said that saving the Notre-Dame "is not certain" and as French fire services said they are "not sure" that the blaze could be stopped, reported AFP.
"We pray that there will be no injuries, for the fire not to be intentional and for least possible damage to the Church," a statement released in Jerusalem said.
"We express our solidarity with (the) Church in France," the statement added.
It came as France's deputy interior minister said that saving the Notre-Dame "is not certain" and as French fire services said they are "not sure" that the blaze could be stopped, reported AFP.
French fire services say 'not sure' if Notre-Dame fire can be stopped: AFP
French fire services say 'not sure' if Notre-Dame fire can be stopped, reports news agency AFP
Notre Dame Cathedral Fire: "This blaze looks terrible": National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Notre Dame fire
National Conference Omar Abdullah tweeted over the Notre Dame fire. "This blaze looks terrible. I hope they are able to put it out before it completely guts this historic building," he said in the tweet.
This blaze looks terrible. I hope they are able to put it out before it completely guts this historic building. #NotreDame #Paris https://t.co/8pqggHrdiw
- Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 15, 2019
Notre Dame Cathedral Fire: UNESCO says 'at France's side to save and restore' Notre-Dame: AFP
UNESCO says 'at France's side to save and restore' Notre-Dame, reported news agency AFP
Notre Dame Fire: "These horrible images of Notre-Dame on fire are painful," says Germany
"Notre-Dame is a symbol of France and of our European culture. Our thoughts are with our French friends."
Germany lamented the huge fire devastating Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday, with Chancellor Angela Merkel's office calling the building a "symbol of France and of our European culture", reported news agency AFP.
"These horrible images of Notre-Dame on fire are painful," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Twitter.
"These horrible images of Notre-Dame on fire are painful," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Twitter.
"Notre-Dame is a symbol of France and of our European culture. Our thoughts are with our French friends."
Read Here: Notre Dame Fire: Historic Notre-Dame Cathedral On Fire, French PM Says "Part Of Us Burns"The spire of Notre Dame Cathedral collapsed on Monday as a massive fire spread through the iconic building.
Notre Dame Fire: London Mayor Sadiq Khan says London "stands in sorrow" with Paris over the fire
London "stands in sorrow" with Paris over the devastating Notre-Dame Cathedral fire, the British capital''s Mayor Sadiq Khan said Monday, reported news agency AFP.
"Heartbreaking scenes of Notre Dame cathedral in flames," Khan tweeted. "London stands in sorrow with Paris today, and in friendship always."
"Heartbreaking scenes of Notre Dame cathedral in flames," Khan tweeted. "London stands in sorrow with Paris today, and in friendship always."
Heartbreaking scenes of Notre Dame cathedral in flames.
- Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) April 15, 2019
London stands in sorrow with Paris today, and in friendship always. #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/jc6z0Oc2P3
Notre Dame Fire: Read Here: Spire Of Historic Notre-Dame Cathedral In Paris Collapses After Huge FireA fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
