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Notre Dame fire: Macron announces fundraising campaign saying cathedral 'will be rebuilt' - here's how to donate

France will be looking 'beyond our borders' for help to restore masterpiece of Gothic architecture, president says

Tuesday 16 April 2019 06:24 BST

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Emmanuel Macron promises Notre Dame rebuild following devastating fire

Fundraising has already begun in the wake of the fire that engulfed Paris’s Notre Dame, as the French president Emmanuel Macron invited the world to work together to rebuild the cathedral.

The first images after dawn in Paris showed the extent of the damage wrought to the 800-year-old structure, with the roof and central spire completely gone but much of the central scaffolding still in place.

The city’s fire chief said late on Monday that the blaze had been brought under control and the stone facade of the building was “saved”, thanks to the efforts of 500 firefighters - one of whom was injured. No one was killed in the fire.

Mr Macron said France would be looking “beyond our borders” for help to restore the masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

In an emotional speech at the scene of the fire on Monday night, he said: “I am solemnly telling you tonight: this cathedral will be rebuilt by all of us together.”

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

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1/45Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Flames on the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, 15 April 2019. A fire started in the late afternoon in one of the most visited monuments of the French capital.

EPA

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.

AFP/Getty

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Firefighter douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

This general view taken from Montparnasse Tower shows flames and smoke as they billow from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on 15 April, 2019.

AFP/Getty

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

People look at smoke and flames rising during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

People react as they watch flames engulf the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral in the French capital.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

People cry and pray as they look at flames burning the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

EPA

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Sparks and flames are seen through a destroyed stained glass window as the Notre Dame Cathedral burns.

REUTERS

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

A view of Notre-Dame Cathedral on fire as seen from Montmartre in the east on 15 April, 2019 in Paris, France.

Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

An onlooker uses a telescope to film the fire at the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

A man watches the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral burn, engulfed in flames, in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France

REUTERS

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

The steeple of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral collapses as the cathedral is engulfed in flames in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

The landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral is engulfed by flames in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smoke billow and flames burn from the roof of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A major fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky, the fire service said. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year, where renovations are currently underway.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.Images posted on social media showed flames and huge clouds of smoke billowing above the roof of the gothic cathedral, the most visited historic monument in Europe.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

People watch from a bridge as smoke billows from Notre Dame Cathedral during a fire in Paris, France

REUTERS

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Bystanders look on as flames and smoke billow from Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A major fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky, the fire service said. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year, where renovations are currently underway.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France

REUTERS

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Bystanders look on as flames and smoke billow from Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A major fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky, the fire service said. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year, where renovations are currently underway.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.Images posted on social media showed flames and huge clouds of smoke billowing above the roof of the gothic cathedral, the most visited historic monument in Europe.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

People watch the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral burns in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Flames rise from Notre Dame cathedral as it burns in Paris, Monday, April 15, 2019. Massive plumes of yellow brown smoke is filling the air above Notre Dame Cathedral and ash is falling on tourists and others around the island that marks the center of Paris.

AP

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Flames rise from Notre Dame cathedral as it burns in Paris, Monday, April 15, 2019. Massive plumes of yellow brown smoke is filling the air above Notre Dame Cathedral and ash is falling on tourists and others around the island that marks the center of Paris.

AP

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France

REUTERS

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said. - A major fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky, the fire service said. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year, where renovations are currently underway.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.Images posted on social media showed flames and huge clouds of smoke billowing above the roof of the gothic cathedral, the most visited historic monument in Europe.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

People watch the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral burning in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smoke rises as people watch the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral burning in central Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.Images posted on social media showed flames and huge clouds of smoke billowing above the roof of the gothic cathedral, the most visited historic monument in Europe.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smoke billows from the Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out, in Paris, France

REUTERS

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

A statue of Saint John is removed from the spire of Notre Dame cathedral by a crane before restoration work, in Paris, France, April 11, 2019.

REUTERS

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

A statue is removed from the spire of Notre Dame cathedral by a crane before restoration work, in Paris, France, April 11, 2019

REUTERS

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

A statue of Saint John is removed from the spire of Notre Dame cathedral by a crane before restoration work, in Paris, France, April 11, 2019

REUTERS

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Handout photo taken with permission from the twitter feed of @slopezserra of smoke pouring from Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which is on fire

PA

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.

AFP/Getty Images

Notre Dame burns: in pictures

Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.

AFP/Getty Images

Describing Notre Dame as “our history” and “the epicentre of our lives”, he added: “It's probably part of France's destiny and it will be our project for the years to come.

“That's what the French expect, because it's what our history deserves,” he said. He called the fire a “terrible tragedy”.

Some high-profile pledges have already been made. French billionaires Francois-Henri Pinault and his father, Francois, said they would be giving more than €100m (£86m) to help with the “complete reconstruction” of what was lost.

Francois-Henri is chairman and CEO of the Kering group which owns the Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent fashion brands, president of the company that owns the Christie’s auction house, and is married to the actress Salma Hayek.

Japan's government expressed sympathy with France early on Tuesday and said it would consider sending support to the French government. “Its damage is a loss to the world and our hearts ache,” said Yoshihide Suga, the chief cabinet secretary.

Firefighters (L and R) continue work to extinguish the fire at Notre Dame in Paris as dawn breaks on 16 April (AFP/Getty Images)

Firefighters assess the damage to the centre of the structure where, until yesterday afternoon, the cathedral's main spire stood (PA)

While the French government is yet to give details of the international fundraising scheme promised by Mr Macron, an appeal has been launched by the charity Fondation du Patrimoine, a private organisation working to protect French “cultural and natural” heritage.

The charity issued a “call for donations to help rebuild Our Lady of Paris, Notre-Dame cathedral” after what it called the “brutal” fire. Speaking to the AFP, the foundation said no fees would be charged on donations at its website.

The US-based French Heritage Society said it too was establishing a restoration fund. A page has been set up on its website to receive donations, saying: “The hearts of all of us… go out to the city of Paris and all of France in the wake of the terrible fire.”

A number of unofficial fundraisers have sprung up on websites such as gofundme and JustGiving, and while no individual appeal has yet taken off, collectively they have raised thousands of pounds.

Meanwhile, French fire officials said it would take several days to completely extinguish all remaining pockets of fire, dampen down hotspots and secure the world-famous edifice.

Attention is beginning to turn to what may have caused the landmark, part of which was being restored, to fall victim to such a disaster.

The Paris prosecutors' office said police will carry out an investigation into "involuntary destruction caused by fire", indicating authorities are treating the blaze as a tragic accident for now.

Arson, including possible terror-related motives, was earlier ruled out.

The first harrowing images from within the fire-ravaged cathedral began to emerge as firefighters brought the blaze under control.

A smouldering pile of what appeared to be the charred remains of the roof and spire lay smoking in front of the altar, while a cross that had escaped destruction glowed from within the gloom.

Gilded candlesticks, artworks and furnishings were among the treasures seen being rushed from the cathedral by a "human chain" before being bundled into trucks by police officers.

Some of the cathedral's most precious objects, including a relic purported to be the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ on the cross, were whisked away to a secure facility.

Franck Riester, the French culture minister, tweeted that "Major parts of the treasure £NotreDame are now safe at the Paris City Hall".

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo added: "The Crown of thorns, the tunic of Saint Louis and several other major works are now in a safe place."

Despite fire racing through Notre Dame's roof, firefighters were able to prevent the blaze consuming the cathedral's main structure, including its two bell towers.

There were hopes that the three famous rose windows, which date back to the 13th century, avoided catastrophic damage, while the bells that have rung out at key moments in France's history were thought to be safe.

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