Paris, France, Apr 15, 2019 / 16:14 pm
Shortly after midnight Tuesday, firefighters said the main structure of Notre-Dame de Paris, the city's cathedral, had been preserved from collapse.
"We now believe that the two towers of Notre-Dame have been saved," Jean-Claude Gallet, Paris' fire chief, said April 16. "We now consider that the main structure of Notre-Dame has been saved and preserved."
Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris Tweeted: "As I speak, it seems that the towers of the facade of Notre-Dame are saved. The whole diocese prayed, and I joined the young people who were praying at Fontaine Saint-Michel. Let us remain united more than ever, in Hope."
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said that "we will rebuild" the cathedral, and shared his relief that "the worst had been avoided," while adding, "the next hours will be difficult."