The Notre Dame cathedral in Paris caught fire on Monday afternoon amid restoration efforts to preserve the 850-year-old Gothic structure, and the blaze quickly got out of control despite the best efforts of emergency personnel and fire crews on the scene. Flames reached as high as three stories and smoke was seen billowing for miles, as things began to look dire for the historic landmark.
A spokesman for the cathedral told the BBC that “the whole structure was burning” and that “there will be nothing left.” He added: “It remains to be seen whether the vault, which protects the cathedral, will be affected or not.”
This is obviously a very sad day for Parisians, Catholics, and lovers of history and architecture, just to start. So the last thing anyone needs is United States President Donald Trump weighing in, but that’s exactly what happened shortly after reports of the fire made way around the world.
“So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris,” Trump tweeted. “Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!”
So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2019
For one thing, Trump might be the last person on earth who should be giving tips on fire prevention — not to mention that his so-called advice is a bit redundant, to say the least. So it was hardly surprising that the tweet didn’t go over so well as people began mocking the president.
“Water, why didn’t we think of that?!”
— Jesse McLaren (@McJesse) April 15, 2019
Can you please teach us how to put a fire out ? We the French have no clue, we're currently blowing on it but it doesn't work. Please help us o mighty world ruler.
— Charly M. (@SeriousCharly) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/KT_So_It_Goes/status/1117846192740818944
https://twitter.com/thecajunboy/status/1117855065828724745
Some backseat firefighting from big brain over here. https://t.co/opH8xc89Br
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/GregShugar/status/1117845149109968896
Thank god you were here. https://t.co/HK9odub4t4
— Randy Rainbow (@RandyRainbow) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/CillizzaCNN/status/1117846641585868800
https://twitter.com/LolaDubini/status/1117855786359615488
The Paris Fire Department is certainly not checking your feed for advice.
— Tommy Campbell (@MrTommyCampbell) April 15, 2019
"must act quickly," what awesome advice! oh my god, it's a good thing you mentioned that because otherwise the fireman would have lollygagged their way to the fire while smoking cigarettes and carrying baguettes in a little net tote as French firemen usually do. GOOD THINKING SIR
— Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/KorGhee/status/1117845829216284672
Great job as always, Mr. President!