Written By Lisa Murimi
ROUEN, FRANCE — A fire erupted at the spire of the famous Gothic cathedral in Rouen, triggering an immediate evacuation, local officials reported.
Images shared on X by the prefecture display thick black smoke rising from the canopy and scaffolding atop the 150-meter (495-foot) structure.
The blaze has been contained, according to officials. The cause of the fire remains unknown, said Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, who noted that “all public resources” were mobilized to address the emergency.
Fire brigade chief Stephane Gouezec informed local media that around 70 firefighters and 40 fire engines were involved in combating the fire.
The Our Lady of the Assumption cathedral was evacuated, and a security perimeter was established, as confirmed by the prefecture.
No casualties have been reported, and the extent of the damage is currently unclear. The prefecture clarified that the fire ignited at the tip of the spire, which is constructed of metal rather than wood.
The Rouen cathedral, immortalized in several 19th-century artworks by impressionist artist Claude Monet, is undergoing extensive restoration.
Portions of the building date back over 900 years to the 12th century. From 1876 to 1880, it held the title of the tallest building in the world.
This incident evokes memories of the 2019 fire that caused significant damage to Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. The iconic structure in France’s capital is scheduled to reopen officially in December after extensive repairs.
