Notre Dame cathedral is on fire!

[ithinkmycatistryingtokillme]

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

So sad if it's lost.

Went there once at sunset. The last light of the day was making the windows glow and a choir was warming up in the darkness. As I stood there, I heard their voices swirl around the cathedral and begin spiralling upwards. The most incredible acoustics - somebody at a time when they didn't even know things that we take for granted, such as the earth orbits the sun, was able to plan and execute the building of something to deliberately engineer the sound of singing so that their voices were carried upwards to the creator they believed in so strongly.

No way that fire is going to stop

What a tragedy. Genuinely upset at the images.

What a fine building 😢

What does it have? Much beauty, much history. Much meaning for its congregation, and for Catholic visitors to the city, I would imagine. An atmosphere of serene calm and dignity. Irreplaceable history, architectural value, beautiful chattels and fixtures. And once it's gone - it's gone. So no one in the future can ever enjoy the atmosphere and meaning from treading where so many have trodden before.

So sad. Such a beautiful building, so much history. I hope they can save it, but it isn't looking hopeful.

We were there in February, it's the most beautiful building inside and out

Donald Trump has just tweeted suggesting flying water tankers are used! Wtf are flying water tankers? If he means the planes which put the massive fires out in America then I don't think Paris fire dept have many of those!

Exactly mbosnz

Even if your not religious it doesn’t take much to realise the historic significance of such a building

My DBro is in Paris at the moment, thankfully he's texted to say they aren't anywhere near but he can see the smoke from the fire even where they are.

The central spire has collapsed, devastating news

Terrible news

Oh No!! how sad.
Our DS sang there last year.
I hope no one has been injured.

Those photos are giving me the same feeling as when the Glasgow School of Art went up - that slightly sick sad feeling even though you try to focus on the relief that it’s not a life-endangering blaze.

What a loss, if it’s really badly damaged.

I liked the feeling in Notre Dame.

It is awful. I walked down from Père Lachaise and the smoke plume is terrible;
I feel like crying, despite being a huge heathen.

Well, the stone work should survive which I think most of the building is made of. Fingers crossed. So sad

Oh no re spire collapse 🥺

Smoke plume and remote view

One arsehole not obeying safety regs.

twitter.com/i/status/1117846962974248960

Looks like a huge part of the roof's gone now ... let's just hope nobody's been hurt

Fire terrifies me, with the speed it takes holds and spreads. Best case scenario here I think is that the walls remain up like Glasgow School of Art. The roof is clearly gone. So sad

This has really upset me. I’m a history teacher and have a real affection for historic buildings. Hearing that the roof and spire have collapsed is totally devastating. That can never be replaced. What has been lost is irreplaceable. Let’s hope something of the structure can be salvaged. I’m not hopeful for the beautiful stained glass though. I’d be surprised if much of it will be left.

twitter.com/i/status/1117850107754340352

Central spire collapsing

Fear not. I remember the 1982 fire at York Minster. To see it now, you would not know how badly it was damaged. This looks as devastating if not more, but the walls are stone and should survive, and I am sure the roof will be completely renovated in time. It is a massive fire though.

Our choir were supposed to be singing there inJuly.