The fire is out

Most of what was wood below the roof did not burn, it seems.

Notre-Dame Found Structurally Sound After Fire, as Investigation Begins

The Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris remains structurally sound after the monstrous fire that roared through it Monday night. 

But the conflagration that destroyed the wood-and-lead roof and lacy spire also left three “holes” in the sweeping vaulted ceiling, officials said after an inspection on Tuesday.

With the fire extinguished, officials began what the Paris prosecutor, Rémy Heitz, told journalists would be “a long and complex investigation,” though for now he said they were considering the disaster an accident.

“Nothing at this stage suggests a voluntary act,” he said.

. . . .

Mr. Macron made an immediate effort to heal the psychic wound, promising late Monday night to rebuild the cathedral, a beloved symbol of the city for more than eight centuries.

Mr. Macron stood outside the still-burning structure and said an international effort to raise funds for reconstruction would begin on Tuesday.

“We will rebuild Notre-Dame,” he said. “Because that is what the French expect.”

The billionaire Pinault family of France pledged 100 million euros, or about $113 million, to the effort, as did the French energy company Total, and L’Oréal and the Bettencourt-Schueller Foundation, which was established by the family that founded the cosmetics giant. 

The family of Bernard Arnault, owners of the luxury goods group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, plan to contribute €200 million.