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April 16, 2019

Flames Engulf Historic Notre-Dame Cathedral as France Vows to Rebuild
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France is reeling today after a massive fire tore through Paris's
beloved Notre-Dame cathedral, a medieval church built 800 years ago and
a celebrated landmark around the world. Parisians looked on in shock
Monday as around 400 firefighters attempted to get the blaze under
control-some onlookers engaging in prayers and religious songs. The fire
claimed the cathedral's spire and ravaged parts of the interior, but the
iconic twin medieval towers remain standing, as does the rest of the
stone structure. French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to rebuild the
cathedral.

President Emmanuel Macron: "Well beyond our borders, we will appeal to
the greatest talents, and many people will come to contribute to it. And
we will rebuild. We will rebuild Notre-Dame, because that's what the
French expect and because it is what our history deserves, because it's
our underlying destiny."

Two of France's wealthiest men have already pledged over $330 million to
the reconstruction effort. The European Union has also vowed to help
rebuild the church. Authorities have launched an investigation into how
the fire started, but ruled out arson, saying they believed it was
started by accident, likely related to the ongoing $180 million
renovation of the building. We'll have more on this story after
headlines with Johns Hopkins professor Anne Lester.