[Magdalen] Fire at Notre Dame de Paris.

[Roger Stokes]

On 15/04/2019 19:59, ME Michaud wrote:
> I'm betting it's a renovation fire. There was scaffolding around the spire.
>
> We've had many church (and building) fires caused by welders and one
> spectacular one caused by chemicals used to strip varnish.
>
> The Cathedral survived the Revolution (although very damaged) and will be
> saved again.

The French  Deputy Interior Minister has said the structure has been 
saved, including the North Tower. Looking at a photo from a police 
drone, though, the whole interior seemed to be burning. The vaults 
underneath may well be OK, though there could well be water damage 
there, but apart from that I would guess nothing but the walls will 
survive - basically a ruin. It is also reported that the Crown of Thorns 
and the tunic of St Louis have been saved.

Under French law the state is responsible for upkeep of cathedrals, 
though many (including Notre Dame, are in a state of significant 
disrepair. What happens to this site will doubtless be the subject of 
much debate in the coming months as restoration would cost a prodigious 
amount of money and take many years.

Roger