Catholic officials at France’s famed Notre Dame Cathedral say the structure faces a 50% chance it could crumble during future renovations; ending a Christmas season where mass wasn’t celebrated for the first time in two centuries.
“Today we can say that there is maybe a 50 percent chance that it will be saved. There is also 50 percent chance of scaffolding falling onto the three vaults, so as you can see the building is still very fragile,” Monsignor Patrick Chauvet told AP in an interview published Wednesday.
Notre Dame rector sees "maybe" 50 percent chance cathedral can be saved https://t.co/PKW1lLGjca pic.twitter.com/qSj0IBrzMg
— The Hill (@thehill) December 26, 2019
“We need to remove completely the scaffolding in order to make the building safe, so in 2021 we will probably start the restoration of the cathedral,” Chauvet told AP. “Once the scaffolding is removed we need to assess the state of the cathedral, the quantity of stones to be removed and replaced.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Source: The Hill
BREAKING NOW: World Famous Notre Dame Cathedral ON FIRE in Paris
BBC News is reporting a massive blaze has engulfed the roof of the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris France; saying the fire may be the result of recent renovations on the centuries old building.
“Images on social media show plumes of smoke billowing into the air above the the 850-year-old Gothic building,” reports the BBC. “Last year, the Catholic Church in France launched an urgent appeal for funds to save the cathedral, which was starting to crumble.”
#BREAKING Paris mayor laments "terrible fire" at Notre-Dame Cathedral pic.twitter.com/nuR68rHa7Z
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 15, 2019
Pictures from across Paris show Notre-Dame ablaze after the fire reportedly broke out in the building's attic https://t.co/S6GIzRSnKA pic.twitter.com/gksCsxOjYw
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) April 15, 2019
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
FROM THE ASHES: Notre Dame’s Medieval Stained-Glass Windows SURVIVE Massive Blaze
The three main medieval stained-glass windows of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France miraculously survived Monday’s massive blaze, with firefighters managing to save most of the building’s stone exterior despite losing the roof and iconic spire.
“Notre Dame’s three medieval stained-glass windows all survived last night’s devastating fire, the Archbishop of Paris has said, as detectives probe the renovation work which may have led to the blaze,” reports the Daily Mail.
“The first daylight pictures inside the wreckage of the Paris landmark today showed the roof destroyed, the 850-year-old church exposed to the elements and the floor covered in charred debris,” adds the report.
French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to rebuild the cathedral as firefighters worked to contain the blaze; saying it was the “destiny” of the French people.
Read the full report here.