Watching the spire of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris collapse, in real time on social media, as a raging inferno engulfed the landmark church on April 15, 2019, was a visceral and emotional experience. The dread of the moment was eventually balanced by hope when it was revealed Notre-Dame’s glorious stained-glass Rose Windows survived. Nevertheless, the World Heritage Site was left in perilous condition.
After firefighters finally smothered the flames, the overwhelming extent of the calamity came into focus. The timber roof was gone, as was its lead cladding. Two limestone roof vaults collapsed and others were damaged when the spire toppled. Lead dust was everywhere. Smoke and water damaged nearly every facet of the cathedral. And looming ominously over the building was a gnarled, melted thicket of scaffolding that threatened to cause further structural harm.
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