On Monday, April 15, at approximately 6:20 p.m., a fire alarm went off in the Notre-Dame Cathedral. First respondents inspected and saw no sign of fire, so they turned off the alarm. Around 6:45 p.m., the fire alarm went off again, but this time the respondents saw fire in the wood framework of the attic. After several hours of fighting the fire, the spire at the top of the French building fell, causing damage to the rooftop.

The ceiling of Notre-Dame had very dry wood in the inner framework and was covered by a heavy lead rooftop. The lead roofing had been replaced several times to maintain its strength; however, the inner wood of the attic had been mostly maintained from the original. Eyewitnesses were in tears at the sight of the tower on fire, as Notre Dame has been called the heart of France and its culture.

The fire in Notre Dame was tragic, and several major French companies have already donated hundreds of millions of pounds to the cause, wanting to be a part of the refurbishing of the rich architecture and history represented by “Our Lady.”