The ancient city of Rouen, nestled in the heart of Normandy, France, faced a moment of panic as its iconic 1,000-year-old cathedral caught fire. Thick plumes of smoke spiraled into the sky, evoking memories of the catastrophic Notre Dame blaze five years prior. However, swift action by local firefighters ensured that disaster was averted, bringing the blaze under control within 90 minutes.
Television footage captured the initial horror as a dark column of smoke rose from the cathedral’s spire, with onlookers below watching in shock. Subsequent images showed smoke seeping through the scaffolding encircling the spire, though the ominous dark plume had dissipated. Firefighters, led by Stéphane Gouezec of the Seine-Maritime brigade, quickly identified the fire’s source and worked diligently to extinguish any remaining hotspots. Gouezec assured the public that the risk of the fire spreading was minimal due to the predominantly metal structure of the affected area.
Construction workers, the first to spot the flames, immediately alerted the authorities, preventing a potentially larger catastrophe. The quick response was a stark contrast to the 2019 fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, which ravaged the wooden roof and caused extensive damage, with repairs only now nearing completion.
🔥🇫🇷 ALERTE INFO – La flèche de la cathédrale de #Rouen est en feu. (via @j_bouteiller) pic.twitter.com/6CCLOYTBAi
— Mediavenir (@Mediavenir) July 11, 2024
Rouen Cathedral, an architectural marvel with a rich history dating back to the 4th century, has faced its share of trials. Today’s structure began rising in the 12th century and became famous through Claude Monet’s paintings, capturing its beauty in various lights. The cathedral’s central tower spire, made of cast iron, stands as France’s tallest church spire, a controversial masterpiece by architect Jean-Antoine Alavoine, who also designed the Place de la Bastille column in Paris.
In recent weeks, the spire had been shrouded in scaffolding and a white cover, making the fire’s outbreak even more alarming. Local authorities promptly evacuated the cathedral, establishing a security cordon around the site. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, though the extent of the damage remains uncertain.
Here we go again
1,000-year-old Rouen Cathedral in Normandy, one of France’s iconic landmarks, engulfed in flames
‘Le Grand Remplacement’ est réel
— Dan Lyman (@realdanlyman) July 11, 2024
Rouen’s mayor, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, addressed the situation via social media, confirming the fire’s origin was still unknown but assuring that all public resources were mobilized. As the community and experts assess the damage, the cathedral stands as a testament to resilience, having survived lightning strikes, wars, and storms over the centuries.
The Rouen Cathedral’s history is a tapestry of destruction and rebirth. Its cast iron spire, which once made it the tallest building in the world, was born from the ruins of a lightning strike in 1822. During World War II, the cathedral sustained significant damage, and a turret was lost in a storm in 1999. Yet, each time, the cathedral has risen from its ashes, a symbol of enduring faith and artistry.
❗️ The spire of Rouen Cathedral is on fire in France
This is one of the highest Gothic cathedrals in the world.
The causes of the fire are still unknown. At the time of the emergency on the spire was being repaired. pic.twitter.com/CIJlCtMbyw
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) July 11, 2024
