Small fire in towering spire of medieval cathedral in French city of Rouen is under control
In this photo provided by Vivien Leservoisier, a view of the spire of Roeun cathedral on fire, in Rouen, France, Thursday, July 11, 2024. A fire broke out in the spire of the medieval cathedral in the northern French city of Rouen but authorities said it was under control about 90 minutes later. Witnesses told French television that smoke was emanating from the spire, and recalled a devastating fire in 2019 at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris that toppled its spire and collapsed its roof. Credit: AP
PARIS — A small fire broke out Thursday in the spire of the medieval cathedral in Rouen, a major landmark in northern France that was under renovation, but authorities said it was quickly brought under control.
Witnesses told French television they saw smoke emanating from the spire just after midday, and recalled a devastating fire in 2019 at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris that toppled its spire and collapsed its roof.
Rouen's 12th century cathedral, which is considered a Gothic masterpiece, is widely beloved, not least because of a series of paintings by impressionist Claude Monet capturing its asymmetrical western facade. It is also the tallest church in France, and among the tallest cathedrals in the world. It is renowned for its three towers, each constructed in a different style.
Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol first posted on the social media platform X around midday that "the beginning of a fire" was underway "on the spire of Rouen cathedral.”
Less than 90 minutes later, Stephane Gouezec, of the Seine-Maritime firefighters, said the source of the blaze had been located — some 120 meters (some 400 feet) high — and the fire contained. Crews were working to ensure there were no remaining “hot spots,” he added.
But he told reporters the risk of the flames spreading was low because the fire was in an area where there was mostly metal.
Gouezec said construction workers were the first to notice the fire and alerted authorities.
The crowd gather outside the Rouen cathedral, Normandy, during the funeral mass for Father Hamel, Tuesday, Aug.2, 2016. French authorities say a fire broke out Thursday JULY 11, 2024 on the spire of the medieval cathedral in the Normandy city of Rouen. Credit: AP/Michel Euler
The cathedral was evacuated and a security perimeter put in place, according to regional officials. Archbishop Dominique Lebrun told French media that the structure was expected to reopen Friday.
Witnesses in Rouen were jittery since the memory of Paris’ Notre Dame blaze is still etched in the national consciousness. It caught fire five years ago, also while under renovation, and is scheduled to reopen in December after an unprecedented reconstruction effort. The cause of that fire was deemed an accident.
Navigating politics over Thanksgiving and where to get holiday pies. Here's a look at some of the exclusive stories you may have missed this week on NewsdayTV.
Navigating politics over Thanksgiving and where to get holiday pies. Here's a look at some of the exclusive stories you may have missed this week on NewsdayTV.
