Rouen Cathedral Spire Fire requires 70 firefighters
Although the outcome of this fire (or initial fire) in this case was as serious as other recent cases, this event once again reminds us of the very high risk to which maintenance construction sites expose historic buildings
On July 11th, 2024, a fire has broken out on the spire of Rouen Cathedral in France. Renovations had been ongoing since 2017 and the spire had been surrounded by scaffolding and a white roof for several weeks. A fire broke out on a plastic sheet covering the renovation work 120 meters up on the cathedral’s spire. The fire should not have caused serious damage to the building and its precious religious, historical and artistic heritage..
Officials did not say how the fire started. Workers at the site attempted to put out the fire and alerted the fire brigade, who raised the alarm. Around 40 vehicles and 70 firefighters responded to the scene. Three workers present on site were slightly intoxicated by the smoke while trying to put out the fire with fire extinguishers.
The recent construction work on the Cathedral was part of a project estimated at €1.33 million. In 1822 lightning started a fire that destroyed the Renaissance wood-and-lead spire of the central tower. It was replaced in 1882 by a 151 meter high cast iron spire. From 1876 to 1880 the spire made Rouen Cathedral the tallest building in the world.
Although the outcome of this fire (or initial fire) in this case was as serious as other recent cases, this event once again reminds us of the very high risk to which maintenance construction sites expose historic buildings
