Notre Dame ‘faced chain-reaction collapse’

Notre Dame ‘faced chain-reaction collapse’

Notre Dame Cathedral would have burned to the ground in a “chain-reaction collapse” had firefighters not moved as rapidly as they did, according to an official.

Firefighters acted aggressively to protect wooden supports in the twin medieval bell towers from the flames, averting a bigger catastrophe, said Jose Vaz de Matos, a fire expert with France’s Culture Ministry.

The fire destroyed most of the lead roof of the 950-year-old architectural treasure and caused its spire, which was added in the 19th century, to collapse.

An initial fire alert was sounded at 6.20pm, as a Mass was under way in the cathedral, but no fire was found.

The second alert was sounded at 6.43pm, and the blaze was discovered on the roof. No one was killed in the fire, after firefighters and church officials speedily evacuated those inside.

PA Graphics

Firefighters acted bravely and as fast as they could to save the cathedral, said senior fire official Philippe Demay, denying that there was any delay in their response.

Despite extensive damage, many of the cathedral’s treasures were saved, including Notre Dame’s famous rose windows, although they are not out of danger.

Paris Firefighters’ spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Plus said that even though they are “in good condition … there is a risk for the gables that are no longer supported by the frame”.

Firefighters removed statues inside the gables, or support walls, above the rose windows to protect them, and took care not to spray water too hard on the delicate stained glass, Mr Plus said.

Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame’s towers could have fallen without swift action taken by firefighters, a Paris fire official said (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

The cathedral is still being monitored closely by firefighters and experts to determine how much damage the structure suffered and what needs to be dismantled to avoid collapse.

“The experts are scrutinising the whole of the cathedral, part by part, to identify what is weakened, what will need to be dismantled or consolidated,” Mr Plus said.

Debris inside Notre Dame cathedral
Debris inside Notre Dame cathedral (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

He said the renovations would be completed in time for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

“We will rebuild the cathedral to be even more beautiful, and I want it to be finished within five years,” Mr Macron said.

“This is obviously an immense challenge, a historic responsibility,” Mr Philippe said.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said the investigation into the fire has not produced any indication so far of a criminal act.

The office on Wednesday said investigators had been able to access some parts of the building to begin their on-site work.

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