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Notre Dame Cathedral may not reopen for three years: official

by Chris Mills Rodrigo - 04/16/19 1:50 PM ET

Notre Dame Cathedral is unlikely to reopen to the public for three years, a spokesman for the Parisian landmark said Tuesday.

Cathedral spokesman André Finot told ABC News that the “entire roof has disappeared” after a fire burned through the 13th-century building on Monday.

“I don’t know, maybe not before three years I believe,” Finot said when asked to estimate how long it would be before the popular tourist site was reopened. “We need to create a new roof.”

{mosads}A severe fire hit the building Monday, destroying the cathedral’s roof and iconic spire. Much of the artwork and relics inside the building, including the church’s historic stained-glass windows, are reported to have survived the blaze.

An official cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but authorities said it may be linked to ongoing renovations at the historic building.

The international community has pledged to assist France in recovering from the damage.

The founders of French companies like Louis Vuitton and Kering have already pledged a combined 300 million Euros for the rebuilding effort.

French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed that France will rebuild the cathedral, and that the country will launch a fundraising campaign.

The White House said Tuesday that the U.S. would offer France assistance in rehabilitating the historic cathedral.

Tags Emmanuel Macron Notre Dame cathedral Notre Dame fire