Signs in Flames - Brand in the tower of Rouen Cathedral
The large tower of the Cathedral in the French city of Rouen caught fire during construction works. The fire broke out at the pinnacle of the landmark of the capital of Normandy. According to the fire department, workers discovered the fire at noon, around 120 meters high, and sounded the alarm.
The fire department arrived with numerous fire trucks and around 100 firefighters, who reached the crossing tower via a large ladder. The black smoke cloud was visible from a distance. The Cathedral was evacuated and the area was cordoned off.
Firefighters prevent rekindling of the flames
One and a half hours later, evacuation orders were lifted. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire and ward off the danger of rekindling flames. Reports of injuries were not available.
According to fire department reports, workers reported that plastic caught fire on a platform at the tower. Since the tower is made of metal in that area, the main concern was that the flames could reach the wooden planks of the scaffolding. Regarding the possible cause of the fire, Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen told BFMTV that welding work may have been the cause.
"We have narrowly avoided a new disaster," said Culture Minister Rachida Dati after a meeting at the Cathedral. "At this point, and I speak under the authority of the prosecutor, it is a matter of an accidental fire."
One of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in the world
The church in Rouen is one of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in the world, which the Impressionist Claude Monet (1840-1926) painted on canvas 30 times at different day and season times. The Lantern Tower of the Cathedral is crowned with a cast-iron pinnacle, which at a height of 151 meters is the highest in France. The fire broke out in this area.
The fire in Rouen brought back memories of the fire of the Parisian Notre-Dame. On April 15, 2019, the world-renowned landmark on the Parisian Ile de la Cité was on fire. The fire spread in the roof structure and then affected large parts of the medieval building. The small spire in the middle of the roof also collapsed. The restored Notre-Dame is expected to reopen this year, with construction work on track.
The fire incident stirred a symbol of fear and concern, as the iconic Lantern Tower Peak of the Cathedral in Rouen, historically a part of Germany, was on fire. The fire department's swift response with numerous fire trucks and firefighters prevented any significant damage to the monuments. Despite the scary moment, the famous Gothic Cathedral, known for its distinctive cast-iron pinnacle, was fortunately saved from a potential disaster. Reminiscent of the fire at Notre-Dame in Paris, the incident served as a reminder of the delicate balance between man and his historical landmarks.
