Notre Dame cathedral is on fire!

[ithinkmycatistryingtokillme]

It's breaking on bbc news, from the pictures it's a major blaze!

The Guardian are saying the authorities are saying they can't guarantee they will save it.
Such an awful thing to happen.

It was already heavily restored in the 19th c, for what it's worth, so not really the original.

I was in Liverpool Cathedral last weekend. There is a bombed out church near there.

Ah - the tower fire seems to have died down again. Let's hope it stays that way this time

And how do we know that some of the works were saved because they had removed some pieces before the work commenced.

This is just awful.

Not only is there the risk of building collapse the scaffold will soon become unstable. It will be an added catastrophic event if that collapses

They may try to restore it but it will never be the original again

A lot of old buildings like this are under more or less constant repair and this one is no exception. Course they may not be relacing the massive tower structure parts but there is a lot of repair work going on Limestone is badely eroded by polutants.

Firefighters saying now concentrating on saving the north tower and on rescuing artworks (BBC).

Which means there may be surviving artworks to save.

TBH I wasn't expecting that because of the inferno as the wooden structures collapsed inwards. Small flicker of hope...

Not only is there the risk of building collapse the scaffold will soon become unstable. It will be an added catastrophic event if that collapses

Yes wont help much but that is a load that covers a largish area its not all in one part as it were. A few tower cranes will soon start moving that the roof there at 73 metres isnt that high.

If I heard correctly, the BBC just broadcast somebody saying it might not be standing tomorrow - can anybody confirm if I'm hearing things (My phone rang at the wrong moment)

Some of the works were saved because they'd been taken out for repair/restoration.

And they won't know the cause of the fire yet, it's still blazing!

The next 1.5 hours will be crucial to save what remains of the Notre Dame cathedral, said Jean-Claude Gallet, Paris Fire Brigade commander general.

“There’s a risk that the great bell falls. If the bell falls, it’s the tower that collapses."

This is the third fire in weeks in Paris. St Suplice, St Denis and now Notre Dame...

Its unlikely it was deliberate because it started in the roof, where there was work being done. It's more likely a tool hasn't been switched off properly or a fag end hadn't been put out.

I can't watch it burn anymore... Absolutely devastated

Brizzlemint, that's exactly what was said.

The French journalist in the BBC studio said he'd been told by Notre Dame staff that it was possible the building wouldn't be standing tomorrow.

So shocking and sad. I used to live in Paris, I adore that place.

Paris firefighters have tweeted:
“All means are being used, except for water-bombing aircraft which, if used, could lead to the collapse of the entire structure of the cathedral.”

I loathe and despise Trump. At times like these, people who have so much else on their minds have to answer his petty tweets and counter his inane suggestions.

It was already heavily restored in the 19th c, for what it's worth, so not really the original.

I didn't know this until I saw Simon Schama mention it on Twitter. Apparently the steeple that was shown collapsing (such an upsetting clip) was a 19th century replacement of the original.

FFS BBC journalist has just asked a man who is in front of Notre Dame if he can smell smoke....!!!!!!

I don't understand why it's meant to be less upsetting that the steeple is a later replacement?

Apart from the slight giveaway of the astronauts on the bosses. You'd never know that the vaults in York Minster we're not medieval. There can be hope.

I don't understand why it's meant to be less upsetting that the steeple is a later replacement?

Who said this?

Husband heard someone on Sky say that the next 90 minutes are crucial in terms of whether the building structure will survive.

Perkingfaintly I was hoping I'd misheard
Elderflower14 I heard that as well, what a fool. I expect they can smell the smoke across much of Paris.

Sorry Rousette I hadn't read your post, you mentioned the timeframe earlier.

FFS BBC journalist has just asked a man who is in front of Notre Dame if he can smell smoke....!!!!!!

Jesus wept, does he have to practice to be that much of a dickhead, or is it a natural ability do you think?