Notre Dame Officials Forecast Three Years Of Repairs Before Reopening, Pledged Donations Top $700 Million

ABC News reports:

Ravaged by a massive fire that completely destroyed its roof, the Notre Dame Cathedral will likely not be reopened to the public for three years, a spokesman for the 13th Century basilica told ABC News.

Andrew Finot, head of communications for Notre Dame, said he got a brief look inside the decimated sanctuary and reported the “entire roof has disappeared” and there is standing water on the floor from the battle waged by firefighters to extinguish the inferno.

The blaze broke out at 6:50 p.m. local time Monday and quickly spread along the roof of the cathedral, which was undergoing a $170 million renovation was partially encased in scaffolding.

Fox News reports:

President Trump offered condolences Tuesday to French President Emmanuel Macron over the devastating fire that ravaged the famed Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris a day earlier.

“France is the oldest ally of the United States, and we remember with grateful hearts the tolling of Notre Dame’s bells on September 12, 2001, in solemn recognition of the tragic September 11th attacks on American soil,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

“Those bells will sound again. We stand with France today and offer our assistance in the rehabilitation of this irreplaceable symbol of Western civilization. Vive la France!”

CNN reports:

France’s three wealthiest families are coming to the rescue of a national icon, spearheading a fundraising drive to rebuild Notre Dame that has topped $700 million.

The billionaires behind luxury giants LVMH Group, Kering and L’Oreal on Tuesday pledged a combined €500 million ($565 million) after a massive fire ripped through the Paris cathedral. LVMH and its CEO Bernard Arnault have promised €200 million ($226 million).

The donation has been matched by the Bettencourt Meyers family, which controls L’Oreal. The Pinault family, which operates luxury conglomerate Kering, has pledged €100 million ($113 million).

The Associated Press reports:



New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that One World Trade Center’s spire be lit in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with the people of France and the Catholic community worldwide.

Cuomo says the lighting on Tuesday night will be a tribute to the fire-ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral, “one of the world’s most sacred and celebrated religious monuments.”