Fire At Notre Dame Cathedral In Paris: World Reacts

PARIS — As orange flames ripped through the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, sending black smoke billowing into the Parisian night, world leaders and former visitors from around the globe reacted with a mix of sadness and disbelief, and shared fond memories of an iconic Catholic structure that stood for centuries and once hosted baptisms, marriages and funerals.

Paralyzed onlookers stood along the Seine River in the French capital Monday evening, watching as flames shot through the cathedral's ceiling and spread to the spire, which eventually collapsed. France's Interior Ministry told The Associated Press firefighters may not be able to save the building. Church spokesman Andre Finot told AP the entire wooden interior of the 12th century landmark was burning and would likely be destroyed.

"Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame," said Finot.

There were no reported deaths.

French President Emmanuel Macron was forced to postpone a televised speech due to the blaze, the cause of which remains unknown. He tweeted that his thoughts were with all Catholics and French people.

"Notre-Dame de Paris in flames," wrote Macron. "Emotion of a whole nation. Thought for all Catholics and for all French. Like all our compatriots, I am sad tonight to see this part of us burn."

Gerard Araud, the French ambassador to the U.S., fought back tears on CNN and said it was the country's "national identity" that was burning. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo called it a"terrible fire."

"A terrible fire is underway at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris," Hidalgo said. "The fire brigade are trying to control the fire. We are mobilized locally in close connection with church authorities. I ask everyone to respect the security perimeter."

The harrowing images broadcast on all major media outlets drew strong, emotional reactions across the globe.

Hidalgo tweeted: "I do not have a strong enough word to express the pain I feel #NotreDame ravaged by the flames. Tonight, all Parisians and French mourn this emblem of our Common History. From our motto, we will get the strength to rise up. Fluctuat NEC mergitur.'

The Vatican issued a statement, calling the fire "terrible," and saying it "devastated" the cathedral.

"The Holy See has seen with shock and sadness the news of the terrible fire that has devastated the Cathedral of Notre Dame, symbol of Christianity in France and in the world," the statement said.

French historian Camille Pascal told BFM broadcast channel the fire marked "the destruction of invaluable heritage."

"It's been 800 years that the Cathedral watches over Paris," said Pascal. "Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre Dame."

He added: "We can be only horrified by what we see."

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, president of the U.S. Bishops' Conference, called it "horrific."

"The horrific fire that is engulfing the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is shocking and saddens us all, for this particular cathedral is not only a majestic Church, it is also a world treasure," said DiNardo. "Noble in architecture and art, it has long been a symbol of the transcendent human spirit as well as our longing for God."

Pierre Guillaume Bonnet, a marketing director, told The New York Times it was "like losing a member of one’s own family."

"For me there are so many memories tied up in it," he said.

Camille Chabot, a native of Dublin, California, who now lives in Paris, told Patch she heard people talking about it and sharing memories and pictures while on the metro. Everyone essentially stopped working and just watched.

"This is devastating and tragic," said Chabot. "Not only because of the history but it’s a very holy week celebrated in France- leading into Easter."

One of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world, the historic cathedral is a major tourist attraction for Americans and a pilgrimage site for American Catholics. Construction, which began in 1160, was largely completed in 1260. It has been renovated through the years, including the current work that fire officials speculated may have been linked to the blaze, which erupted just a week before Easter.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, New York City's top Catholic official, mourned the cathedral and said he was praying for the 850-year-old church.

"I just went next door to our own beloved Cathedral, Saint Patrick's, to ask the intercession of Notre Dame, our Lady, for the Cathedral at the heart of Paris, and of civilization, now in flames!" Dolan said in a statement Monday afternoon.

President Donald Trump and his one-time Democratic foe, Hillary Clinton, both tweeted about Notre Dame, and each took a remarkably different tone. Trump called the blaze "horrible" and offered Parisian firefighters some unsolicited advice.

"So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris," tweeted Trump. "Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!"

Clinton, meanwhile, said her heart goes out to the city.

"Notre Dame is a symbol of our ability as human beings to unite for a higher purpose—to build breathtaking spaces for worship that no one person could have built on their own. I wish France strength and shared purpose as they grieve and rebuild," wrote Clinton.

Former President Barack Obama, meanwhile, offered his thoughts to the French people.

"Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief," tweeted Obama. "It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost – but it’s also in our nature to rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can."

Below is a roundup of more reactions from other celebrities, museums and world leaders. Patch will update this as more reactions come in.

The Met and the collective cultural community are watching in shock and horror at the fire engulfing Notre-Dame Cathedral. We are sending all of our support and strength to the people of Paris — and stand ready to provide any and all resources we can.
— The Met (@metmuseum) April 15, 2019

Heartbreaking.

Imagine the faith of the people who built this great stone wonder. They broke ground in 1163 with the hope that someday their great-great-great-great-great-great grandchildren might attend the dedication Mass — 200 years later. Terribilis est locus iste. pic.twitter.com/MCk1WY5ClW
— Rick Steves (@RickSteves) April 15, 2019

Devastation &…French are strong,& & The Will Never Forget Those with The Spirit Of
La Marseillaise
— Cher (@cher) April 15, 2019

Very sad to see the Cathedral of Notre Dame in flames. Such a magnificent and iconic structure. I hope everyone is safe and my heart goes out to the French people.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) April 15, 2019

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the devastating fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, particularly in this time of Holy Week.
— St Paul's Cathedral (@StPaulsLondon) April 15, 2019

We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a treasure of the world's cultural heritage. We extend our sympathies to the people of France and all those who were actively working to preserve its art and architecture. pic.twitter.com/Z4A2Ieq0yT
— J. Paul Getty Museum (@GettyMuseum) April 15, 2019