It took more than two
years after the fire just
to remove the burnt
timbers and other
debris and to shore
up the vaults and
buttresses against a
catastrophic collapse.
Now scaffolding fills
the cathedral, and the
restoration is finally
beginning. The first
step: cleaning all
surfaces of dust and
toxic residue from
the lead roof, which
melted in the fire.
First came
the rescue.
Now, the
restoration.