Historic Gothic cathedral engulfed in blaze in France
Date
7/14/2024 5:20:15 AM
(MENAFN) The renowned Rouen Cathedral in France has caught fire, as confirmed by the city’s mayor, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. The blaze reportedly engulfed the cathedral’s spire, which dates back to the eleventh century. This iconic monument has been a favorite subject of renowned French impressionist Claude Monet, who painted it multiple times.
Mayor Mayer-Rossignol stated that the cause of the fire remains unknown, but firefighters have been mobilized to combat the flames. Social media images depicted fire erupting from the upper sections of the building. Notably, restoration efforts have been ongoing at the cathedral since 2015, according to French media sources.
Reports indicate that firefighters are actively on the scene, working diligently to extinguish the fire. The Gothic Notre-Dame de Rouen is notable for having the tallest church spire in France, soaring over 150 meters high. Local authorities have evacuated the cathedral and established a security perimeter around the site.
Later updates from the local prefecture on X confirmed that the fire has been contained, although the extent of the damage to the cathedral's structure remains unclear at this time. The images emerging from this incident evoke memories of the tragic fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2019, which also occurred during renovation work and resulted in the destruction of its iconic spire. Initial speculations pointed to arson as a potential cause, but investigations ultimately determined there was no criminal activity involved.
As the situation develops, the community remains concerned about the cathedral's future and the potential impact of this fire on its historic significance.
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