An international monument, one that has been a prominent building in Paris for almost eight centuries, is currently facing a treacherous issue. Around 4:50 pm today (April 15, 2019) in Paris, the cathedral went up in flames. The Notre Dame Cathedral has been undergoing massive renovations for awhile now, and it is possible that the devastation of the cathedral could be attributed to the construction, though the cause is not entirely known.

The police and fire departments have asked people to evacuate the area, but many are gathering on bridges and banks of bridges to witness the tragic scene. As the fire broke out, the roof collapsed and many don’t have any hope for the monument.

“It’s not about the faith — Notre Dame is a symbol of France,” said Emmanuel Guary, a 31 year-old actor (New York Times). The destruction of the cathedral affects many people across the world, as it attracts about 13 million tourists each and every year. This is a major tragedy for France. The cathedral is too tall for fire hoses to reach, and asking firefighters to climb up that far is not something that can be asked, since it is a long and difficult climb to the top. As of now the cause of the fire is unknown, but the French government has begun investigating.

“That’s not good, it’s like all gone,” Sam Wicklund (12), who is going on a trip to Paris over the summer, said. Sam said he was shocked at what had happened, and described how he was really looking forward to seeing the cathedral. This fire is a tragedy for not only the French people, but also the people around the world who admire this monument,  and all anyone can do is hope that it can be salvaged.