Notre Dame, after hours of interventions the French firefighters managed to put out the fire. However, using Canadair would have resulted in unpredictable weight overload. The risk is that the cathedral, already severely damaged by the fire, could collapse under the weight of the water
TikTok's viral trick to preserve avocado is dangerousNotre-Dame, after hours of interventions the French firefighters managed to put out the fire that partially destroyed the cathedral of Paris. Also save the main structure and most of the artwork.
According to reports from the firefighters at work since last night, 1000 square meters of coverage literally went up in smoke. Throughout the night and after more than 9 hours of work, 400 Paris firefighters extinguished the flames but two policemen and a firefighter were slightly injured.
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The fire was extinguished
"All night the work was to monitor the residual fires, 1000 m2 of roofing went up in smoke, until this morning the work was to preserve the two north and south bell towers to be sure that the towers did not collapse", has explained First Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Plus. This morning "the firefighters' commitment is to monitor the structures and put out the residual ones but the whole fire has been put out and now the entire building will have to be examined".
Despite the huge disaster, the bell towers were also saved but the heart of the nave was severely damaged. Almost all the works of art were taken away thanks to the plan to safeguard cultural property.
2/2 After more than 9 hours of fierce fighting, nearly 400 firefighters from Paris came to the end of the appalling fire. 2 police officers and a firefighter were slightly injured. pic.twitter.com/re9ZR0KB3W
– Paris firefighters (@PompiersParis) April 16, 2019
1/2 #Intervention #NotreDame: the structure of the cathedral has been saved and the main works of art have been safeguarded, thanks to the combined action of the various State services working alongside us. pic.twitter.com/0GJZKAdYdM
– Paris firefighters (@PompiersParis) April 16, 2019
Many priceless collections were immediately moved elsewhere despite the initial difficulty in accessing the cathedral. Unfortunately some collections and larger works remained inside and some were damaged.
“The worst has been averted, but the battle is not completely won. Thanks to the courage of the firemen, the façade and the structures did not collapse. We will rebuild Notre-Dame together " he said French President Emmanuel Macron.
The suggestion arrived by Trump, who invited the French authorities to bring in the Canadair, is almost smiling, a solution excluded from the first moment since it would only have contributed to damage the cathedral and the works contained in it.
In fact, the use of aircraft such as Canadair or helicopters involves the launch of water jets which on such structures would involve an unpredictable weight overload. The risk is that the cathedral, already severely damaged by the fire, could collapse under the weight of the water. In fact, they have never been used to extinguish building fires.
So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2019
The first images from the inside
The vault of the cathedral seems to have generally resisted the flames well but today inside you can breathe an acrid smell of smoke and in the church, usually illuminated and colored, silence reigns, broken only by the firefighters at work. Here's what's left of the interior:
The reconstruction
The president announced that a national and international collection will start today to raise funds for the reconstruction of the cathedral, symbol of France. The roof, which collapsed in the fire, was still the original one, finished in 1326.
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Unesco also took the field by assuring its support for the country "to save and restore this priceless heritage", he said the director general of the UN body, Audrey Azoulay. Notre-Dame has been a World Heritage Site since 1991.
“We are already in contact with experts to assess the damage, preserve what can be preserved and consider short and medium term measures” to come up with a plan to avoid further damage to the site and recover as much of the original elements as possible.
The possible causes
The flames would have started from a scaffolding on the roof due to the restoration operations. During the works, 16 copper sculptures were removed, depicting Jesus, the 12 apostles and the symbols of the evangelists, which should return to their place in 2021.
Thank you to the @PompiersParis, the police officers and the municipal agents who created a formidable human chain tonight to save the works of #NotreDame. The crown of thorns, the tunic of Saint Louis and several other major works are now in a safe place. pic.twitter.com/cbrGWCbL2N
- Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) April 15, 2019
It is still too early to know the causes and consequences in detail. Today all eyes are on Paris, struck in the heart and heartbroken by the loss of one of her symbols.
On the fire of Notre-Dame read also:
- Fire in Notre-Dame: the Parisian Cathedral is on fire!
- Fire of Notre-Dame: the moving tribute from illustrators from all over the world
- Fire Notre-Dame: solidarity competition for reconstruction, how to contribute
Francesca Mancuso
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