A fire has erupted at the spire of the historic Rouen Cathedral in Normandy, France. Known for being painted by Claude Monet in the 19th century, the 1,000-year-old gothic landmark was surrounded by scaffolding and undergoing repairs when the fire broke out. The blaze originated in the section where construction work was being conducted, and dramatic images of smoke billowing from the spire have circulated widely.
Rouen’s mayor, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, confirmed the fire and stated that all public resources were mobilized. The cathedral was swiftly evacuated, and emergency services responded promptly. In total, 33 fire engines and 63 firefighters attended the scene to combat the flames. The fire has now been extinguished, with the smoke reducing significantly.
This incident is reminiscent of the catastrophic fire that struck Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris five years ago, which destroyed its spire and roof. The restoration of Notre Dame is ongoing, with hopes to complete the work by December 8, 2024. The current situation at Rouen Cathedral has evoked memories of that tragedy and highlighted the vulnerabilities of these ancient architectural treasures.
