RELATED: Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral ‘Saved and Preserved’ After Massive Fire, Says Official
According to a tweet from the AFP, an official confirmed that the main structure of the historic building has been “saved and preserved,” despite the spire and roof being consumed by flames and collapsing earlier in the evening.
“The worst has been avoided, but the battle isn’t fully won yet,” French President Emmanuel Macron told crowds in a speech given outside of the church Monday night.
He promised that the cathedral will be rebuilt. “It is with pride I tell you tonight we will rebuild this cathedral . . . we will rebuild Notre Dame because it is what the French expect of us, it is what our history deserves, it is, in the deepest sense, our destiny,” he said.
The cathedral, known as “the House of God and the abode of men,” is over 800 years old. It was at the center of Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel
From its beautiful architecture to its historical significance, it has remained one of France’s most prominent landmarks, on par with the Eiffel Tower. Following the news of the fire, many celebrities expressed their sadness at the gut-wrenching sight.
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty
“My heart breaks for the people of Paris after seeing the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral,” wrote First Lady Melania Trump. “Praying for everyone’s safety.”
In a tweet,
RELATED: Donald Trump, Idris Elba and More React to the Notre Dame Fire: ‘My Heart Breaks’
“I’m weeping. Our gift of light,” she wrote. “Notre Dame on fire. My heart is breaking. My grandmother’s and mother’s heart home.”
Idris Elba said, “I cannot believe what’s happening to Notre Dame.”