Notre Dame Catches Flames!

Paris is famous for its landmarks all over the world, for example, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum, Notre Dame, etc. Notre Dame was built between 1163-1345. Its structure has two towers of 69 m both and 10 bells and a spire. It's an 850-year-old gothic building. The cathedral is consecrated to the Virgin Mary. Notre Dame is a cathedral which is visited by more than 13 million people every year, more than the Eiffel tower.

On Monday, 15th April 2019 a major fire erupted at the Notre Dame while undergoing renovation and restoration. The cause of the fire is not clear yet. The fire began at around 6:30(GMT 4:30). The officials had said that a fire alarm went off at 6:20 pm but nothing was discovered and then at 6:43 another alarm was heard. French newspaper Le Parisien reported that a fire alarm went off shortly after 6 pm but the fire's location was showed at the wrong place by a computer bug. The paper reported that the fire may have started at the bottom of the cathedral and may have started due to an electrical problem in an elevator.

In less than an hour, the fire engulfed the spire, which after about 13 minutes collapsed. Around 500 firefighters worked to save one of the towers from collapsing, one of the firefighters got seriously injured. More than 4 hours later the fire chief announced that the main structure was saved from total destruction. The spire and roof collapsed but the two bell towers included by the main structure has been saved and the wooden roof was all burnt according to the officials. President Emmanuel Macron called it a "terrible tragedy" and said "the worst has been avoided" and also vowed to launch an international fundraising scheme to rebuild the cathedral. He said that the cathedral will be built again and more beautiful. He also praised the "extreme courage" of the firefighters.

Thousands of people had gathered in the streets around the cathedral watching the flames in silence. Some people were seen openly weeping while others sang hymns or said prayers. The Vatican expressed "shock and sadness" due to the accident. Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel offered the support to the French people calling Notre Dame a symbol offer of French and European culture. UK Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted that her thoughts are with the French people. US President Donald Trump also tweeted his support and that it was "horrible to watch". The Ahmedabad Times called it a 'Historic Heartbreak'. Officials do not suspect arson or terrorism. Until now about a billion dollars have been pledged to help restore the landmark.

People all around the world, from the entertainment industry and citizens of many countries, have expressed their remorse and emotions through social media or by donating money as a fund for the restoration of the landmark.