Notre-Dame “Will be Rebuilt within Five Years”

French president, Emmanuel Macron, has vowed that the fire-devastated Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral will be rebuilt within the next five years.

His pledge comes after a fire broke out at the historic landmark – which had been undergoing renovations – on Monday evening, 15 April, in Paris, France. Both the cathedral’s spire and roof were destroyed in the blaze.

Firefighters managed to contain the fire and save the stone structure. Many religious artefacts and artworks were also saved from the cathedral.

In a live, televised address to the French nation yesterday, Tuesday 16 April, Macron promised that Notre-Dame will be rebuilt “more beautifully than ever” within five years.

He said: “It is up to us to convert this disaster into an opportunity to come together, having deeply reflected on what we have been and what we have to be, and become better than we are. It is up to us to find the thread of our national project.”

More than €700 million has already been donated towards rebuilding the cathedral, including €500 million from three of France’s billionaire business moguls.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway.