Around 6:50pm local time, The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris caught fire.
The flames enveloped the cathedral, causing most of the roof and the almighty spire that stood on top of the iconic structure to collapse.
Patrick Galey on Twitter was one of the many onlookers who captured the moment the spire collapsed.
The moment #NotreDame’s spire fell pic.twitter.com/XUcr6Iob0b
— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019
Jean Birhbaum shared a closer shot on Twitter.
“Désolé mon fils, mais c’est pas tous les jours que Notre-Dame brûle”, dit un père à son bébé qui s’impatiente, à deux mètres d’une femme en larmes, soufflant “faut qu’ils fassent quelque chose ! faut qu’ils fassent quelque chose !” #notredame pic.twitter.com/mPxIbGh8Vp
— Jean Birnbaum (@JeanBirnbaum) April 15, 2019
Notre Dame is unbelievably iconic and important, especially to people in Paris, and represents much more than religion. It is an integral part of the culture.
Notre Dame is a symbol of survival despite circumstances.
In 1786, the spire’s supporting structure was replaced after being weathered, but has been ever-present to the people of Paris, seeing the city through the French Revolution, Napoleon and World War II.
The spire of #NotreDame is aflame – it’s utterly gut wrenching to watch. Gothic architecture was a feat of miraculous engineering but it surely cannot withstand such heat.
— Greg Jenner (@greg_jenner) April 15, 2019
The cathedral is also the most visited attraction in Paris, surpassing both the Louvre and Eiffel Tower, with 12 million visitors a year.
Notre Dame is the heart of Paris. Not the Eiffel Tower, but Notre Dame.
Outside her 850-years-old facade is a marker known as Point Zero. It’s the point from which everything in France is measured.
Victor Hugo’s novel would enshrine the cathedral’s importance to the city. pic.twitter.com/3gB2AoLbCo
— Sarah Hina (@StepByStepWDW) April 15, 2019
Notre Dame has also featured in many films and has had a role in pop culture, being the backdrop for Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback at Notre Dame. Many iconic films set in Paris including, Dumbo, Ratatouille, Midnight In Paris, Funny Face, Casablanca – and the list goes on, all feature Notre Dame.
This building is more than just a building for a lot of people.
This is simply a disaster. Countless priceless artworks and artifacts. The roof structure, original, all wood, whose construction is still not fully understood by modern scientists, is itself a priceless monument. I am heartbroken.
— PEG (@pegobry) April 15, 2019
There’s such an inexplicable abstract terror and sadness to things crumbling that you took for granted would stand forever, even if you have no reason to care about it personally. I don’t think it’s strange for this to hurt, even if you have no personal tie at all.
— Dahlia Adler (@MissDahlELama) April 15, 2019
In wake of this tragedy, people gathered outside to unite in hymn and prayer.
The view from St Michele. As night falls, a group of people are singing while everyone else is taking photos and watch in shock. All feels eerie. #NotreDame #notredamedeparis pic.twitter.com/f5HAwGkmWN
— Andrei Popoviciu (@AndreiPopoviciu) April 15, 2019
The latest news is that Notre Dame’s main bell tower has been saved.
BREAKING: Structure of #NotreDame has been saved from total destruction, a French firefighter official is quoted by @Reuters saying.
But one fireman has been seriously injured in the blaze— Deborah Haynes (@haynesdeborah) April 15, 2019