French Officials Walk Back Claim Of Total Loss Of Notre Dame, Interior Relatively Unscathed, Bell Towers Saved

The Hill reports:

Fire officials said late Monday that Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was saved from “total destruction” after a massive fire broke out, engulfing much of the building and destroying its iconic spire and stained-glass windows. The blaze spread to the cathedral’s two rectangular towers Monday evening but was later contained.

The news that the building has been partially saved comes after officials originally believed the entire building would burn to the ground. “Everything is burning. Nothing will remain from the frame,” cathedral spokesman André Finot had predicted earlier in the day.

Firefighters at Notre Dame. Incredible photo by Yoan Valat. pic.twitter.com/2CYqge6NRK

— Jake Hanrahan (@Jake_Hanrahan) April 15, 2019

Reuters’ Philippe Wojazer captures a stunning photo from inside Notre Dame after the fire pic.twitter.com/OxUP0U9AvN

— Brian Kosciesza (@BrianKosh) April 15, 2019

Inside #NotreDame. Only a small part of the vault collapsed. Interior seems relatively untouched. Alleluia! pic.twitter.com/uI47wQ6WaB

— Axel Reinaud (@areinaud) April 15, 2019

Firefighters were able to save the cathedral structure of Notre Dame, including the two towers on the main facade. The wooden interior was consumed by the blaze, as well as the wood and lead spire. https://t.co/ncAPc6uOBi pic.twitter.com/DF1EzgNn6c

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) April 15, 2019

Notre Dame’s main bell towers saved during devastating fire https://t.co/zpWUcwNFsf

— Ned Ryun (@nedryun) April 15, 2019