sunsalem

Know the cause yet?

I did notice there was a lot of scaffolding around...

BKorsaire

They were able to save all the works of art !

the fire started in the spire of 93 meters because of the work, it's confirmed ! There was a huge restoration work, bronze statues had already been removed by helicopter last week, fortunately. The water bomber helicopters, despite the river Seine at 30 meters, could not intervene because, according to experts, the excessive water mass could have caused the entire 800-year history building to fall into a site inhabited for 2000 years "l'île de la Cité", the true historical heart of Paris.

For the moment, the building has not yet been saved, what will remain of it ? response tomorrow, God is Great !

sunsalem

I was afraid it might have been a terrorist attack.
If that had been the case, there would be a lot of blood in the streets by morning...

sunsalem

TrackAire

My wife was in tears today....she has been there and can't believe the devastation. Very sad day.

sunsalem

If it was caused by the construction, a LOT of people had to have fncked up.
To think human incompetence could have been responsible is sickening....

Nowanker

Salut Richard, The damage to such an important piece of history (and of France itself!) is tragic.
The stained glass was reported destroyed, but I hope they actually were able to save the other artworks.

Thunder22

Not true. The wood was over 850 years old and very dry. A small spark from anything could have started it, including an electrical problem.

Thunder22

This is unbelievable, the altar survived. Incredible news.

BKorsaire

Surrealist image,!

VetteDrmr

Richard,

Amazing that they were able to save all the artwork; hallelujah!

And thanks for the info on the water tankers. I had that thought in the back of my mind (the weight of the water doing more damage than the fire), but in retrospect it probably would have been at least a break-even.

In any case, give thanks that no one was lost in the fire, and give prayers that the internal structure isn't too damaged to the point it has to be torn down.

And, if it can be saved, then one more story of survival: the Revolution, two World Wars, and now a historic fire.

Have a good one,
Mike

BKorsaire

the most surprising thing, the rosette/rosace in French, on the north façade seems to have resisted because it still holds: despite the heat, the seals that hold the pieces of glass have held, it is amazing, others hold by miracle and it will be necessary to remove them because some pieces are missing and the lead has melted (it is the lead that gives coherence to the stained glass, it holds the pieces of glass between them). I look at the positive: the structure holds and the whole nave has not collapsed, the great organ with its 8000 pipes has also held well despite the lead and tin pipes, metals that melt in heat, there are uncertainties on the other 2 organs. But all the French billionaires and French companies as Total and so on are mobilizing and at this hour, there are 700 M€ of donations, you see, it could have been worse and there is HOPE, that's what you have to remember, you'll see it even more beautiful in a few years, guys!!! a cruise on the Seine at night, it's magic because you can see at a glance all the emblematic monuments of Paris. You will do it !

TrackAire

Quality of construction matters, even 850 years ago. I have a feeling the job was not done by the "lowest bidder" back then, lol. They were artist and craftsmen and many spent their entire lives working on just one project.

sunsalem

I have seen many documentaries on the construction of the great cathedrals of Europe.
It truly is astonishing how people back then were able to build those magnificent structures WITHOUT the help of modern technology.
They used basic known scientific facts that were understood at the time and discovered a bunch along the way.

So often we modern people forget that folks back then were not troglodytes, but humans exactly like ourselves with all the brainpower we have.
"How on Earth could they do those things without an iPad?!?"

sunsalem

RB to get upgraded Honda engine in Baku:
http://gptoday.com/full_story/view/6...ngine_in_Baku/
20 more HP is nothing to sneeze at.
Max has been driving the wheels off his car this year...if he could get just a little closer...

sunsalem

thebishman

In many cases it was subsequent generations of family tradesman that built these incredible structures. Staggers my mind they were able to build such strong, beautiful buildings.

pjazz

Sorry if this is a dupe but here's a classic race to watch. It's amazing seeing what pit stops were like back then. About 15 guys working on the car some in shorts.

D K

Is that James Hunt commentating??

Good lord...


Nice to see what cars were like without aero...

sunsalem

While watching this video the cars look noticeably slower than today's to me.
Also, what BEASTS to drive!
No way would I trust my life to one of those.