Translate

Monday, April 15

Next 90 minutes will determine fate of Notre Dame Catheral UPDATED 5:22, 5:37 PM ET



Notre Dame: Firefighters dare hope the structure is saved

Breaking News RT
Fire has destroyed two thirds of the roof of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, yet the French firefighters remain cautiously optimistic that they may have managed to save its two towers from collapsing.

“We can consider that the two towers of Notre-Dame are saved,” commander of the Brigade of firefighters in Paris, Jean-Claude Gallet, told reporters.

“We can think that the structure is saved,” said Laurent Nuñez, Secretary of State to the Minister of the Interior. “We are much more optimistic than earlier, but we must remain cautious.”

[...]

END UPDATE

UPDATE

Breaking News from Sputnik's live updates on the fire


"Fire Brigade Chief Believes Firefighters Were Able to Save Two Towers of the Blaze-Hit Cathedral"

https://sputniknews.com/europe/201904151074157126-paris-notre-dame-cathedral-fire/
 END UPDATE

Breaking news from RT:

French firefighters 'not sure' if Notre Dame fire can be stopped

French firefighters have expressed doubts the devastating fire at the Notre Dame cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris) can be stopped and have not ruled out further collapse of the iconic landmark.

“We’re not sure we can stop the fire spreading into the northern bell tower – and you can imagine the damage if it collapses,” said Jean-Claude Gallet, the commander of the Paris firefighters. Over 400 people are combating the blaze.

The next hour and a half will determine the fate of the 13th-century cathedral, French firefighters have said.

Earlier, the firefighters ruled out the possibility of using aerial support in fighting the devastating blaze.

“Helicopter or plane, the weight of the water and the intensity of dropping it at low altitude could weaken the structure of Notre-Dame and cause collateral damage to surrounding buildings,” the French Civil Security tweeted.

https://www.rt.com/news/456631-fire-stopped-notre-dame/


Also from RT, an earlier report last updated 20:34:

'Nothing will remain from frame'

A fire at the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France has destroyed most of the roof and collapsed the church's central spire. Eyewitness videos show smoke and fire engulfing the jewel of Gothic architecture.

The blaze broke out in the scaffolding around the spire on Monday afternoon, Paris firefighters confirmed, adding that a major operation to tackle the fire is underway.

Notre Dame spokesman Andre Finot told French media that “everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame.”


The incident took place as the jewel of the Gothic architecture was undergoing a major overhaul costing €11 million ($ 12.43 million), with the work scheduled to be finished around 2022.

The cathedral is home to works of art of incalculable value.

There have been no reports of casualties. It is unknown what might have caused the fire.

The medieval cathedral is one of the main attractions of the French capital, seeing 12 million tourists a year, more than the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower.



********

No comments: