Notre Dame cathedral is on fire!

[ithinkmycatistryingtokillme]

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

twitter.com/gullyburrows93/status/1117874180802797569

Parisians singing the Hail Mary

Heartbroken. We lived in France for 12 years. My DDs grew up there. Notre Dame is my youngest DD’s favourite place in the world. It inspired her to study medieval history.
There’s been many tears shed here tonight.
This is going to be one of those moments in history people will always remember.

The archbishop of Paris has called on all churches to ring their bells for Notre Dame

Oh that is just... oh you've set me off now too.

Yes. Yes to this.

Made me cry when I saw the pictures 🥺

If they think it might have been caused by the renovations I wonder if they are going to keep a closer eye on the renovations at Westminster Palace and Big Ben?

seventysevenpercent That is such a bittersweet video. Thank you for sharing. It’s got me in tears.

Giving me horrible flashbacks to when the massive warehouse burned down near me in feb

Horrible to see. Visted a few years ago and it was breathtaking.

But I had to smile at some of the replies to Donald Trump’s tweet:

Can you please teach us how to put a fire out ? We the French have no clue, we're currently blowing on it but it doesn't work. Please help us o mighty world ruler

How will they ever raise enough money to try and renovate . I hope there is a big crowd funding exercise worldwide but nothing can replace what has gone

That video of the Parisians singing the Hail Mary has just finished me off.

Awful sad news. DH and I had such a happy trip to Paris, and I have fond memories of strolling round Notre Dame after visiting Pere Lachaise. Very distressing, hope nobody is hurt.

Seems that the spire was rebuilt renovated in the 19 cent so wonkypedia says lovely picture of it here..

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/Spire_of_Notre-Dame_de_Paris%2C_September_2013.jpg

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

Oh, the tower is on fire now. No!

Just heard on the news all works of art have been saved and some statues were removed a few days ago only saving grace.
I am so so sad.

Strange about the fire in the tower ... thankfully it's nothing like as big as the rest, but they've been pouring water in there for ages and it doesn't seem to have made much difference

Shocking. Dreadful spectacle. Hope no-one is injured.

It is horrifying, and terribly sad. A beautiful and historic building going up in flames.

Me too Rafals.

Intresting?.

A water reservoir, covered with a lead roof, is located between the two towers, behind the colonnade and the gallery and in front of the nave and the pignon. It can be used to quickly extinguish a fire

Do you think they can repair it the way Windsor Castle was repaired?

What fire in St Denis (which isn't in Paris)? Someone broke in and smashed up the organ and a couple of windows a month ago but no fire.

Any news on what caused the fire?

And how do we know that some of the works were saved?

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

Just makes me think of the risks to our own old buildings, like westminster abbey and houses of parliament.