On April 15, 2019, at 6:20 p.m. local time, the historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was struck by a devastating fire. The initial fire alarms rang out, prompting the evacuation of visitors and halting the ongoing mass. Despite the absence of immediate signs of fire, flames were discovered twenty-three minutes later.
Over 400 firefighters rushed to the scene, but their efforts were hindered by heavy rush hour traffic. Authorities confirmed the outbreak of the fire and urged the public to steer clear of the area for safety reasons.
As the evening progressed, the iconic spire of the cathedral succumbed to the flames, collapsing in front of thousands of horrified onlookers. It wasn't until the following morning that the firefighters were able to declare the fire extinguished.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, with speculations pointing towards accidental origins. The Paris chief prosecutor suggested possibilities such as a cigarette or an electrical fault as potential triggers. Additionally, ongoing renovations at the cathedral during that period were also under scrutiny as part of the investigation.
