Notre Dame – Tribute

On 15 April 2019, just before 18:20 CEST, a structure fire broke out beneath the roof of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. By the time it was extinguished the building's spire and most of its roof had been destroyed and its upper walls severely damaged; extensive damage to the interior was prevented by its stone vaulted ceiling, which largely contained the burning roof as it collapsed. Many works of art and religious relics were moved to safety early in the emergency, but many others were damaged or destroyed. The cathedral's two pipe organs, and its three 13th-century rose windows, suffered little to no damage. Three people were injured. President Emmanuel Macron said that the cathedral would be restored, and launched a fundraising campaign which brought in pledges of over €1 billion as of 22 April 2019. It has been estimated that restoration could require twenty years or more.