France’s historic Rouen Cathedral is on fire, emergency efforts underway

The iconic spire of Rouen Cathedral – a symbol of French Gothic architecture dating back to the 12th century – has been engulfed in flames, prompting a massive emergency response and evacuation of the historic site.

City mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol confirmed the alarming incident, stating: “A fire has started on the spire of Rouen Cathedral. Origin unknown at this stage. All public resources are mobilized.”

Images circulating on social media depict a distressing scene of smoke billowing from a scaffolding canopy near the cathedral’s towering spire.

The cathedral, renowned for its rich history and artistic significance, notably served as a subject for Claude Monet’s paintings during the 19th century, Sky News reports.

Emergency services swiftly evacuated the cathedral as 33 fire engines and 63 firefighters arrived on scene to combat the blaze. Public transport in the area has been disrupted, amplifying the urgency of the situation.

A security perimeter has also been set up.

The fire is believed to have originated in an area undergoing building works within the cathedral complex.

The spire, standing at 151 meters tall, ranks among Europe’s tallest and is the highest in France.

Rouen Cathedral holds profound historical significance as the traditional coronation site for the dukes of Normandy. Inside, it houses the tomb containing the heart of Richard I, famously known as Richard the Lionheart, King of England from 1189 until his death in 1199.

Recent renovations at the cathedral, part of a larger project costing approximately €1.33 million ($1.44 million USD), had surrounded the spire with scaffolding and a protective white canopy for several weeks.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Rouen Cathedral (Cathedrale Notre-Dame de l’Assomption de Rouen) The building is classified as a National Historic Landmark.Credit: Andia / Getty

Online, the incident has evoked memories of the devastating 2019 fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which also involved extensive restoration efforts. Despite challenges, efforts continue to restore Notre Dame with a targeted completion date of December 8, 2024.