Macron delays TV speech due to Notre Dame fire
French President Emmanuel Macron has postponed a
televised speech to the nation because of a massive fire enveloping the top of
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Flames are shooting out of the roof behind the nave
of the 12th cathedral, one of the world’s most visited landmarks.
The sight stopped pedestrians in their tracks along
the Seine River, which passes under the cathedral.
Authorities said the fire could be linked to
renovation work. It’s unclear if anyone has been hurt in the fire.
Macron’s pre-recorded speech was set to be aired
later Monday on French TV. Macron was expected to lay out his plan to address
the citizen complaints that gave rise to the yellow vest protests that have
rocked France since November.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says firefighters are
trying to contain a “terrible fire” at the city’s Notre Cathedral.
An AP reporter at the scene of Monday’s fire says
the roof at the back of the cathedral, behind the nave, is in flames and
yellow-brown smoke and ash fill the sky.
Hidalgo urged residents of the French capital to
stay away from the security perimeter around the Gothic-style church. The mayor
says city officials are in touch with Roman Catholic diocese in Paris.
Firefighters are battling a massive blaze at the
French capital’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral.
Flames and black smoke were seen shooting from the
base of the medieval church’s spire on Monday.
The peak of the church is undergoing a 6
million-euro ($6.8 million) renovation project.
French media quoted the Paris fire brigade saying
the fire is “potentially linked” to the renovation work.
