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Notre Dame – besieged by a huge, ruinous fire that triggered anguish around the world – has been been saved from total destruction , a French firefighting chief has revealed.
At the conclusion of a day in which people in Paris stood in horror as flames gripped the iconic 12th Century cathedral, destroying its spire and inflicting grave damage, officials said they have been able to save the structure of the building.
“We can consider that the two towers of the north belfry Notre-Dame have been saved,” the senior official, Paris fire commander Jean-Claude Gallet, told reporters late on Monday. “The structure of Our Lady is saved as a whole.”
The effort to save the building – observed by Parisiens who both hugged each other and sang hymns as emergency crews worked – was not without cost; at least one firefighter was reported to have been hurt in the effort to prevent the cathedral being totally destroyed.
This sacrifice was recognised by Mr Gallet. “The work of firefighters has enabled us to stop the fire from spreading towards the northern belfry,” he said.
Show all 45 1 /45Notre Dame burns: in pictures Notre Dame burns: in pictures Flames on the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, 15 April 2019. A fire started in the late afternoon in one of the most visited monuments of the French capital.
EPA
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
AFP/Getty
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Firefighter douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures This general view taken from Montparnasse Tower shows flames and smoke as they billow from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on 15 April, 2019.
AFP/Getty
Notre Dame burns: in pictures People look at smoke and flames rising during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures People react as they watch flames engulf the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral in the French capital.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures People cry and pray as they look at flames burning the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
EPA
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Sparks and flames are seen through a destroyed stained glass window as the Notre Dame Cathedral burns.
REUTERS
Notre Dame burns: in pictures A view of Notre-Dame Cathedral on fire as seen from Montmartre in the east on 15 April, 2019 in Paris, France.
Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures An onlooker uses a telescope to film the fire at the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures A man watches the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral burn, engulfed in flames, in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France
REUTERS
Notre Dame burns: in pictures The steeple of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral collapses as the cathedral is engulfed in flames in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures The landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral is engulfed by flames in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smoke billow and flames burn from the roof of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A major fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky, the fire service said. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year, where renovations are currently underway.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.Images posted on social media showed flames and huge clouds of smoke billowing above the roof of the gothic cathedral, the most visited historic monument in Europe.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures People watch from a bridge as smoke billows from Notre Dame Cathedral during a fire in Paris, France
REUTERS
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Bystanders look on as flames and smoke billow from Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A major fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky, the fire service said. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year, where renovations are currently underway.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France
REUTERS
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Bystanders look on as flames and smoke billow from Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A major fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky, the fire service said. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year, where renovations are currently underway.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.Images posted on social media showed flames and huge clouds of smoke billowing above the roof of the gothic cathedral, the most visited historic monument in Europe.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures People watch the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral burns in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Flames rise from Notre Dame cathedral as it burns in Paris, Monday, April 15, 2019. Massive plumes of yellow brown smoke is filling the air above Notre Dame Cathedral and ash is falling on tourists and others around the island that marks the center of Paris.
AP
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Flames rise from Notre Dame cathedral as it burns in Paris, Monday, April 15, 2019. Massive plumes of yellow brown smoke is filling the air above Notre Dame Cathedral and ash is falling on tourists and others around the island that marks the center of Paris.
AP
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France
REUTERS
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said. - A major fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky, the fire service said. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year, where renovations are currently underway.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.Images posted on social media showed flames and huge clouds of smoke billowing above the roof of the gothic cathedral, the most visited historic monument in Europe.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures People watch the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral burning in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smoke rises as people watch the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral burning in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.Images posted on social media showed flames and huge clouds of smoke billowing above the roof of the gothic cathedral, the most visited historic monument in Europe.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smoke billows from the Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out, in Paris, France
REUTERS
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures A statue of Saint John is removed from the spire of Notre Dame cathedral by a crane before restoration work, in Paris, France, April 11, 2019.
REUTERS
Notre Dame burns: in pictures A statue is removed from the spire of Notre Dame cathedral by a crane before restoration work, in Paris, France, April 11, 2019
REUTERS
Notre Dame burns: in pictures A statue of Saint John is removed from the spire of Notre Dame cathedral by a crane before restoration work, in Paris, France, April 11, 2019
REUTERS
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Handout photo taken with permission from the twitter feed of @slopezserra of smoke pouring from Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which is on fire
PA
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
AFP/Getty Images
Notre Dame burns: in pictures Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.
AFP/Getty Images
Junior interior minister Laurent Nunez said late on Monday that the authorities remained “prudent” but were “much more optimistic” than earlier in the night, according to the Associated Press, after fire took hold earlier in the afternoon.
As the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said people who lived near the cathedral had been evacuated in preparation for the burning structure’s possible collapse, she also revealed some of many artworks that were in the cathedral had been taken out and placed in safe storage. Meanwhile, Mr Gallet said the priority of firefighters was now to try and cool the structures.
Crowds gather and sing together as Notre Dame cathedral burns in Paris “One sensitive point is the central scaffolding, which is going to require several hours before it can be cooled down completely,” he said.
“There is still a risk that this scaffolding could partially collapse but we can consider that the structure of Notre-Dame is saved and preserved in its entirety.”
As world leaders expressed shock and sent condolences to the French people, Emmanuel Macron, the nation’s president, said the entire country was distressed.
Ahead of delivering a televised speech, he tweeted: “Like all our compatriots, I am sad this evening to see this part of all of us burn.”
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