Flames Engulf Notre Dame Catheral in Paris Causing World-Wide Heartache

Impressive Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, used to
attract millions of tourists and devotees a year

 Photo courtesy: medium.com/

Interior view of the Cathedral during a religious service

Photo courtesy: mtravel.mn/

 The devastating fire of April 15, 2019, causes
the Notre Dame Cathedral spire collapse 

Photo courtesy: AFP/Getty Images via globalnews.ca/

Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris), named in honour of Jesus' mother, is the Gothic cathedral on an island in the river Seine that passes through the city of Paris, is a French landmark renowned all over the world. Millions of French and international tourists visit it every year.

Built 850 years ago, this Catholic cathedral saw a lot of history and it itself survived the ravages of the French revolution (1789-1799), the First World War (1914-1918), and the Second World War (1939-1945). 

Recently this cathedral was undergoing massive renovation work. French authorities surmise that this fire was caused accidentally. 

The French, as well as people world over, felt heartache at the devastating fire that engulfed this venerable cathedral. 

Many French donors have already pledged millions of euros for rebuilding the cathedral. Foreigners are also coming forward to offering help.

For more, please read the following:

• Firefighters race to save what's left of Notre Dame Cathedral as French President declares 'the worst has been avoided' (April 15, 2019)
• Fire at Notre Dame Cathedral (April 15, 2019)
• In Images: Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral burning (April 15, 2019)
• Notre Dame fire: What 'invaluable' treasures reside at the famed Paris cathedral (April 15, 2019)
• CBS News: Fire burns Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris [photos]
• In pictures: Fire devastates Notre Dame Cathedral (April 15, 2019)
• Notre Dame fire: spire and roof destroyed but main structure saved -- live news (April 16, 2019)
• Priest helped rescue treasures from burning Notre Dame (April 16, 2019)
• Notre Dame Cathedral fire likely caused by accident: French officials (April 16, 2019)
• The glorious (and tragic) history of Notre Dame Cathedral from de Sully to Disney (April 15, 2019)
• Our Lady of Paris: a history of Notre Dame cathedral (April 15, 2019)