Notre Dame is burning.

[afleitch]

The steeple is gone. Collapsed in.

'Luckily' it's a 19th century replacement I think. But the roof is completely gutted.

[afleitch]

Glasgow's number one historical building burned down...twice (second time during the restoration). Having said that, the first time the Mackintosh Library was gutted they were able to recover a great deal of metalwork and glasswork from the fire.

[afleitch]

I do wonder if the vaulted ceiling offered protection. If so, the damage might be contained.

[afleitch]

Told you the stone vaulted ceiling would offer protection The fire was clearly ripping through the ceiling void and the wood. The fire service doused it with the right intensity to not bring it down further but no doubt the whole stone vault will need to be secured internally if it's been warped by the heat.

It's still a five year plus restoration at least but much less damage than was feared.

[afleitch]

And, outing myself further as an architectural geek, while the stained glass has been saved it may have internally shattered as happened with York Minster, so they'll need to check that out first and secure it with adhesive plastic before removal.