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Post by Bridget in MD on Apr 15, 2019 23:40:56 GMT
ok, wow, I thought that was all stone! I dragged out my scrapbooks this afternoon and was just looking at my pictures of that roof!
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 15, 2019 23:41:09 GMT
@zingermack As far as I can tell, yes, the building itself is still (with the heavy "bourdon" bell that would have taken a whole part of the building down in its fall) here BUT the roof, however, was part of its beauty and considered an artwork in itself. It was an intricate, old wood frame referred to as "the forest" because of all the, well, wood symmetry. It was gorgeous and loads of it still original so a beautiful display of 13th century craftsmanship. I am not sure which stained glass has been lost so far. Can't get official confirmations on this. The only official information is that the firefighters are trying to find a way to save them while the lead has/had entered fusion phase. Based on what I actually know (not speculation), I can confirm the rest that's been said in that Tumblr post that was screenshot: the ground floor looks okay right now. The fire hasn't reached it yet and everybody's just crossing their fingers it won't (it's close though, as you can see from the photos posted above). The damage to this floor (which is where the visitors go) will be a mix of the rest of the fire and the water to put out the fire. The dangers now come from: overheated scaffolding still in place if it collapses on top of the fragile top structure, overheated building, sudden rise of wind ( not expected). The roof is gone, the spire is gone. There will be some damage the main floor of course (especially if the final bits of the roof collapse on it but it would be superficial). The stone arch has collapsed in places. Not sure how much of that will be left by the end of the fire + water damage but I suspect some other bits of it will drop. The "Trésor" (treasure room) has not come under threat so everything there is fine. The twelve apostles from the spire were taken down several days ago so are safe and fine, too. To see the "forest" that was lost, please check this page on the Notre-Dame website. Tagging Bridget in MD so you can see what was above the stone arch.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 15, 2019 23:42:57 GMT
I can't see flames anymore from the outside. The fire is definitely shrinking.
ETA: They are still hosing down the building and scaffolding. Cooling phase ongoing.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 16, 2019 0:03:08 GMT
It's 2AM and I've been up since 6AM. Time to catch some much-needed sleep.
Final update of the night: they are now dropping big electric lights from above to scan the damage done to the structure.
ETA: Just heard the fire temperature went up to 800°C (1472°F). Confirmation that the stained glass windows are very, very heavily damaged (lead fusion). The organ is quite damaged as well.
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Post by KikiPea on Apr 16, 2019 0:20:46 GMT
So awful. Thank you so much for all of the information, sleepingbooty . Try to get some rest!
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Post by Skellinton on Apr 16, 2019 1:05:01 GMT
Thank you for all your updates sleepingbooty our SC Ami. I am so sorry to hear of this tragedy, but hopeful and thankful that the timing was such that many priceless items were already removed and that so many items were spared. Bless the firefighters and their bravery and hard work. I have never been to France, but have read Hunchback of Notre Dame and have always dreamed of the day I might get to see it in person.
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Apr 16, 2019 1:06:55 GMT
Here’s a really interesting twitter thread on the fire from an expert. Lots of great information.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,486
Oct 11, 2014 3:17:29 GMT
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Post by bethany102399 on Apr 16, 2019 1:33:38 GMT
Holy crap the fireman you mentioned above is fantastic. Succinct, and yet informative. No wonder his feed is blowing up. Looks like he's from St. Louis or served in St, Louis at some point.
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,306
Jun 26, 2014 19:30:06 GMT
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Post by scrappinghappy on Apr 16, 2019 2:15:13 GMT
One firefighter seriously injured. Please let us all keep him in our prayers.
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Post by KikiPea on Apr 16, 2019 2:28:01 GMT
One firefighter seriously injured. Please let us all keep him in our prayers. I was hoping they would get this all out with no one hurt. Lifting up this firefighter and all others in prayer.
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Post by monicad on Apr 16, 2019 2:55:14 GMT
We’re going next month for the first time. So sad that something that has stood for nearly a thousand years could sustain so much damage while preservation work was being done. My thoughts are with the firefighters who I’m sure have done everything humanly possible to save it.
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Deleted
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Mar 29, 2024 5:32:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2019 3:18:29 GMT
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Post by roundtwo on Apr 16, 2019 3:28:37 GMT
I know the peas were able to locate the family who left their camera behind on the disney cruise - maybe it'll work this time too?
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on Apr 16, 2019 3:58:10 GMT
I pulled out my scrapbooks too. DH didn't remember doing Notre Dame, the first trip. We've been to Europe a couple of times but I knew I had one of the big stain glass window and the front of the Cathedral. I haven't been able to watch the live video of it burning. It is raw and frightening and brings up hard memories. My mom adored Paris and most of Europe. It was usually the first stop on the way to other places each time. She would be devestated. So many mixed emotions and feels for friends and family overseas. My heart hurts. I'll post the pics here if I can get it to work. Ijust loaded them to facebook. Dh remembered when I showed him the pics. lol! Thank you for the pics in the this thread! Some heart warming stuff too.
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Post by annabella on Apr 16, 2019 4:29:51 GMT
When I went to Lisbon last year they have a church that was damaged by an earthquake in 1755 and they never rebuilt the roof. But they still use the structure for various art shows under the stars.
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Post by annabella on Apr 16, 2019 4:32:41 GMT
That twitter feed mentioned this church that was burned in NYC a couple years ago that I never heard of, they don't have the funds to rebuild yet. www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3xrPk0FLdwReminds me of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona which has been under construction for 130 years! Notre Dame may not be restored in my lifetime.
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Deleted
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Mar 29, 2024 5:32:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2019 4:46:35 GMT
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,389
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Apr 16, 2019 7:36:15 GMT
A French billionaire, Francois-Henri Pinault, the husband of Selma Hayek, has pledged a donation of €100 million to assist with the rebuild. ~Link~. Excellent news.
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,759
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Apr 16, 2019 7:47:29 GMT
Just wondering out loud if the French will restore it exactly or will they take the opportunity to make some changes? Thinking of the glass pyramid outside the Louvre which caused lots of headlines when it was first unveiled. I understand the spire dated from the 19th century so there is a history of changing the building.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 16, 2019 8:51:38 GMT
10AM updates: 1. Official confirmation that the fire is extinguised. Huzzah! 2. The Arnault family that heads the luxury group LVMH are donating 200 million euros. The City of Paris 50 million. The region of Île-de-France (wherein Paris is located) is unblocking an emergency help fund to start all the work that needs to be done straight away to consolidate the structure. 3. The rooster on top of the spire held three relics: a thorn of the holy crown, a relic of Saint Denis and a relic of Sainte Geneviève. They've been lost. The spire replaced a previous bell tower with five bells and that was deconstructed in the late 18th century. It took 500 tonnes of wood and 250 tonnes of lead to build. I doubt they'll reuse these materials as the primary building blocks for the replacement since it was so prone to the fire. 4. The strategy of the firefigthers is starting to come to light: they chose straight away to save as much as possible by moving in close to the fire from different entry points to save specific things like the organ and the rose window. They chose against dropping smaller amounts of water from helicopters to try and avoid the loss of these emblematic parts of the cathedral. 5. French media are already thanking the Americans who funded a significant part of the current renovation (that was supposed to end in 2022) and are starting to rally again. I can't even access the Friends of Notre-Dame website as the server's down due to traffic overload. 6. Notre-Dame is a classified historical building. You can't do what you want with it. It still belongs to the Archdiocese of Paris and will continue to belong to them. Mea culpa, Notre-Dame actually belongs to the State. The State will have to reach out to the Chief Architects of Historic Buildings which is a group of architects employed by the French government to oversee the protection of historic buildings and monuments. Without their approval of the rebuilding plans, they can't do anything legally. This is no laughing matter. The French government announced last night they would have Chief Architects in Notre-Dame already today (they will also need to approve everything that needs to be done to uphold and consolidate the structure). It is extremely unlikely any major aesthetic changes will be done to Notre-Dame. It is simply against the rules of preservation of a historic building. The major work is to figure out how to do rebuild the frame to hold up the gothic style roof they'll rebuild. The question mark now is for the spire: it was a recent-ish modification and they may change the design of that. I am certain it won't be made as it once was in terms of materials used. This is not a situation comparable to the Louvre pyramid. This is a classified building that is still standing and will need to be restored to its previous state. 7. Police rounded up the workmen last night and have already interrogated them. The criminal case is underway. No updates from the police on what they've found so far.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 16, 2019 8:55:07 GMT
Reminds me of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona which has been under construction for 130 years! Notre Dame may not be restored in my lifetime. I replied to a similar message on page 4 of this thread. It will take nowhere near the Sagrada Familia's crazy time to renovate Notre-Dame for several major reasons, fortunately. Quoting myself here:
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 16, 2019 9:00:03 GMT
Photo update from this morning:
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Post by gillyp on Apr 16, 2019 9:04:55 GMT
Thank you for your knowledge and calm updates, sleepingbooty. Is there any news of the injured firefighter? I am so pleased it wasn’t any worse. It could have been so, so much worse. On reading of the reconstructions over the centuries I am taking the view that while this was horrendous, it will be put right, just as in previous years. Assuming the world is a similar place in 100 years time, our descendants will be viewing the building as it will be then and marvelling at it and reading the tourist pamphlets which will describe the fire and how the building was repaired. Much the same as we do for when the spire was taken down and reconstructed in the 1800s etc.etc. Notre Dame will rise again.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Mar 29, 2024 5:32:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2019 9:05:30 GMT
Just wondering out loud if the French will restore it exactly or will they take the opportunity to make some changes? Thinking of the glass pyramid outside the Louvre which caused lots of headlines when it was first unveiled. I understand the spire dated from the 19th century so there is a history of changing the building. I'm not sure if they would go that far in modernisation though wellway It does have quite a lot of history on the parts we associate and see today. It was in ruin after the French Revolution. The National Geographical site has a very interesting article on its history and restoration over the centuries. Worth a read.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 16, 2019 9:11:20 GMT
The pompiers (firefighters) of Paris have updated their social media with photos of their point of view of last night's battle. Tagging mom who asked about the number of hoses used (per ABC) yesterday.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Mar 29, 2024 5:32:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2019 9:35:56 GMT
Your pompiers need to be congratulated on doing an amazing job under extremely difficult and dangerous condition sleepingbooty . Any news of the one that was injured? ETA - I've just about ( with my limited French) worked out from that last tweet that there were two policemen too.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 16, 2019 9:36:51 GMT
Is there any news of the injured firefighter? The fireman appointed to the press mentioned he was seriously injured last night but they are now saying he was lightly injured. It looks like they overdiagnosed his state (possibly due to smoke inhalation). He will be alright. Two policemen were lightly injured too. All three remain at the Hôtel-Dieu hospital right now but are expected to make a quick recovery. On reading of the reconstructions over the centuries I am taking the view that while this was horrendous, it will be put right, just as in previous years. Assuming the world is a similar place in 100 years time, our descendants will be viewing the building as it will be then and marvelling at it and reading the tourist pamphlets which will describe the fire and how the building was repaired. Much the same as we do for when the spire was taken down and reconstructed in the 1800s etc.etc. Notre Dame will rise again. Like the phoenix she has been over the centuries, she will rise again (Notre-Dame is feminine in French). I think most of my French compatriots would agree that we felt relief and hope last night when we realised the fire was finally starting to decrease. What's done is done, what burned is gone. I look forward to seeing the rebuild and which surprises the architects and artists have in store for us. I hope we well be able to access and visit her in the next few years as the rebuild continues to enjoy her beauty and her rebirth from the literal ashes. The National Geographical site has a very interesting article on its history and restoration over the centuries. Worth a read. I took a quick look (will read in full over lunch) and it seems like this article covers all the major points! Great write-up from the author and share, @dottyscrapper! Recommended read.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 16, 2019 9:42:55 GMT
Update: At 11 o'clock (40 minutes ago), the first meeting to discuss the rebuild began at the Elysée palace with the Prime Minister, Minister of Culture and others. I guess they are mostly focusing on the emergency fund and immediate work to preserve what is still standing.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Apr 16, 2019 11:16:15 GMT
Press conference updates:
1. It'll take about 48h to secure and assess the building before the scientific police can come in to do their research work for the inquiry.
2. They are now talking about waiting to be able to move the large paintings (they can't until they're told the structure is sound). It sounds like several (most?) would be able to be restored. ETA: Franck Riester, Minister of Culture, has announced the big paintings will likely be taken down on Friday and moved to the Louvre for dehumidification and restoration.
3. The organ, like the big paintings, is waiting to be moved. They're not sure how bad a shape it is in but it was definitely damaged.
4. Around 100 firefighters remain on site to avoid the fire picking up again.
5. New update from the Minister of Culture: the Chief Architects, assisted by the firefighters, are currently assessing the building. They believe the vaulted ceiling might hold up despite the three important holes although some bits are bound to fall. This is one of the main issues they're dealing with right now. The big roses appear not to have been damaged heavily.
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YooHoot
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,417
Jun 26, 2014 3:11:50 GMT
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Post by YooHoot on Apr 16, 2019 11:32:08 GMT
sleepingbooty Thank you so much for sharing your insight on this tragedy. I've been there several times and the undertaking to rebuild will be huge, but the French will get it done.
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