Notre-Dame Cathedral should be rebuilt together by Europeans - PM

"Let's rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral together as Europeans," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on Twitter on Monday evening, referring to the fire that consumed the medieval Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

"Poland knows what it means to have heritage destroyed in an inferno," the prime minister added. At the same time, he emphasised that Notre Dame is a great symbol of Paris and "our" Europe.

In an earlier post, Morawiecki noted that the Notre Dame fire was a huge drama for the Church and European history. According to Morawiecki, this is a tragic moment for all Catholics, Christians and lovers of great works of art.

Asked by private TV broadcaster TVN24 whether the Polish government will offer even symbolic assistance in the reconstruction of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Deputy Prime Minister Beata Szydło said they will wait for a signal from the French President. "President (Emmanuel - PAP) Macron announced that the cathedral will be rebuilt," she pointed out. "We will definitely want to join in. This is not just a matter for the government, people will also join in," Szydło added.

A massive fire burnt through the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday, gutting the roof, though firefighters saved the main bell towers and outer walls from collapse before bringing the blaze under control.

Flames that began in the early evening burst rapidly through the roof of cathedral and engulfed the spire, which toppled, quickly followed by the entire roof.

The fire has a "potential connection" to the renovation works of the edifice, firemen said.