Fire Breaks Out at Gothic Cathedral in Rouen, Echoes Notre Dame Tragedy
The spire of the gothic cathedral of the French city of Rouen in Normandy has caught fire during renovation works, prompting scenes reminiscent of the devastating fire at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris in 2019. The cathedral in Rouen, one of France's finest, was painted several times by the impressionist artist Claude Monet in the 19th century. Television images on BFM showed a dark plume of smoke rising from the spire, with people in the streets below looking up in horror. The spire had been surrounded by scaffolding and a white cover for several weeks. The local prefecture, which exercises state authority in the region, said the cathedral had been evacuated and emergency services were on the scene, with a security cordon in place around the building. The prefecture also stated that there were no reports of casualties, and the extent of the damage was unclear at the moment. Rouen's mayor, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, posted on social media: 'The beginning of a fire is underway on the spire of the cathedral of Rouen. The origin is unknown at this stage. All public resources are mobilised. More details to follow.' The incident has sparked concerns and sadness among locals and art enthusiasts, given the historical and cultural significance of the cathedral and its connections to renowned artists.
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