Fire Breaks Out in 1000 year-old World-Famous Gothic Cathedral of Rouen in France: Watch

A fire broke out on Thursday in the spire of the iconic Gothic cathedral in Rouen, a northern French city, but local fire services have reported that the blaze is now "under control." 

This incident occurred just hours after Rouen's mayor shared a photograph showing a column of smoke rising from the historic landmark.

The fire started in a section of plastic sheeting that covered ongoing renovation work 120 meters (400 feet) up the cathedral's spire. 

Although officials have not yet determined the cause of the fire, the alarm was raised around midday. 

France: The stunning 1,000-year-old cathedral in Rouen is on fire. Work started on the gothic church in 1080 and wrapped up around 1200.

Pray for France. Though her churches have been savaged in recent years, may Christ be powerfully exalted there in days to come. pic.twitter.com/DZdoM172CJ

— Christian Emergency Alliance (@ChristianEmerg1) July 11, 2024

The response was swift and substantial, with 40 vehicles and 70 firefighters arriving at the scene to tackle the blaze.

Local fire chief Stephane Gouezec noted that while the fire is "under control," it has not yet been fully extinguished. 

The blaze will only be declared "out" once firefighters are certain there are no remaining hotspots. 

Three workers at the site suffered mild smoke inhalation while attempting to extinguish the fire using handheld extinguishers, according to local authorities.

The prefecture of the Seine-Maritime department informed AFP that the fire broke out at the tip of the spire, which is made of metal rather than wood. 

Rouen Archbishop Dominique Lebrun expressed his sympathy for the archdiocese staff and the public, noting that the fire started in an area where workers decontaminate themselves upon leaving the site.

Despite the alarming images of smoke billowing from the spire, the Culture Ministry has reassured the public that there is no risk of the cathedral collapsing. 

An assessment is currently underway to determine whether "two works of art" sustained any damage due to the water used by firefighters to douse the flames.

This incident evokes memories of the devastating fire at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris in 2019, which caused massive damage to the world-renowned structure. 

That fire began in the wooden frame of the roof, and repairs are only now nearing completion. 

In contrast, Rouen cathedral's spire, which caught fire on Thursday, is constructed of metal, reducing the risk of a similar disaster.

Construction of the Rouen cathedral began in the 12th century, with work continuing over several centuries. 

Renovations have been ongoing since 2017, according to Normandy’s culture authority. The cathedral has faced challenges in the past; in 1822, lightning struck the spire, destroying the wooden structure. 

It was subsequently rebuilt using cast iron and later steel in the early 19th century. 

Recent renovation efforts have included creating firewalls within the wooden structure to prevent a catastrophe similar to Notre Dame and reinforcing the roofing vaults.

As firefighters continue their work to ensure the fire is completely extinguished, the people of Rouen and the broader community hold their breath, hoping that this historic cathedral will emerge largely unscathed from this latest ordeal. 

The incident underscores the constant challenges of preserving historic structures while ensuring their safety and integrity for future generations.