Update (4/18/19 12:30 p.m.): An investigation into the Notre Dame Cathedral fire has revealed that the blaze was started by an electrical short circuit.
Update: French police said that the fire at the Notre-Dame Cathedral was started by accident and is “related to ongoing work.”
Original article:
On Monday, April 15, a fire broke out at the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France around 6:30 p.m. local time.
At this time, officials have yet to announce what they believe started and/or caused the tragic fire.
The fire, which can be seen in videos from the scene engulfing most of the roof, has caused the spire at Notre-Dame Cathedral to collapse.
The French Interior Ministry said in a statement that approximately 400 firefighters were mobilized to deal with the inferno.
According to reports, pieces of the cross that historians believe that Jesus was crucified on is in the building. Additionally, part of the thorned crown that they believe Jesus wore was also being stored at the iconic cathedral.
At the time of this writing, the status of those historic artifacts is unknown.
The building of the Notre-Dame Cathedral began in 1160 and was completed approximately 100 years later in the 1260s. France estimates that roughly 12 million people visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral per year.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who personally arrived at the scene of the Notre-Dame Cathedral fire with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and first lady Brigitte Macron, released a statement about the fire on Twitter.
“Our Lady of Paris in flames. Emotion of a whole nation. Thought for all Catholics and for all French. Like all our countrymen, I’m sad tonight to see this part of us burn,” President Macron tweeted [translation via Twitter].
https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1117851407644684288
What Started The Fire At The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France?
At this time, French officials have yet to announce what they believe started the blaze at the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Once the fire is contained, an investigation into what caused/started the blaze will begin.
This article will be updated with new information if and when the cause of the fire is disclosed by French officials.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Paris, France, during this trying time.
