Donald Trump, Idris Elba and More React to the Notre Dame Fire: 'My Heart Breaks'

Jason Duaine Hahn
Updated
“Our Lady of Paris in flames. Emotion of a whole nation. Thoughts for all Catholics and for all French. Like all our countrymen, I’m sad tonight to see this part of us burn,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a tweet translated from French. He canceled a speech that he was scheduled to deliver Monday night to go to the site.

As a devastating fire rips through the famed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, celebrities on social media voiced their heartbreak at the growing destruction.

According to France 24, the blaze began around 6:30 p.m. local time on Monday, and has since destroyed the cathedral’s spire and part of its roof. As of now, the cause of the fire is not clear, a spokesman for the cathedral told the New York Times.

The cathedral, known as “the House of God and the abode of men,” is over 800 years old. It was at the center of Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre–Dame, and the site of the crowning of Henry VI of England and Napoleon.

From its beautiful architecture to its historical significance, it has remained one of France’s most prominent landmarks, on par with the Eiffel Tower. Following the news of the fire, many celebrities expressed their sadness at the gut-wrenching sight.

“So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris,” wrote President Donald Trump, who wondered why more wasn’t seemingly being done to put out the flames. “Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!”

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Speaking with the press on Monday, Trump added that it was “greater than almost any museum in the world.”

“My heart breaks for the people of Paris after seeing the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral,” wrote First Lady Melania Trump. “Praying for everyone’s safety.”

In a tweet, Jurassic Park actress Laura Dern said she was moved to tears at the devastation.

“I’m weeping. Our gift of light,” she wrote. “Notre Dame on fire. My heart is breaking. My grandmother’s and mother’s heart home.”

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda penned, “Standing here next to you, heartsick for Notre Dame…”

Idris Elba said, “I cannot believe what’s happening to Notre Dame.”

Musicians Ellie Goulding and Dua Lipa weighed in as well.

“Feel profoundly sad about this… so much lost in a few seconds,” Goulding wrote. “I am praying (which I don’t do often) for the fire to be contained soon …. utterly heartbreaking.”

“So much history collapsing right before our eyes,” Lipa wrote. “Heartbroken for Notre-Dame and Paris.”

Local TV network BFM-TV is reporting that the fire was “possibly linked” to the renovation of the building and began in the rafters. According to one resident, pedestrians are flooding the streets to watch the blaze, many in tears.