The Palace of Versailles in France was evacuated briefly on Tuesday afternoon due to plumes of smoke seen near the Marble Court. However, there was no fire and the smoke was coming from a “hot zone” in the wood in the roofing. Local firefighters quickly extinguished the smoke, with no injuries or damage reported.
The Palace of Versailles, a popular tourist attraction with 8 million visitors annually, resumed normal operations after tourists were evacuated in line with safety protocols. The incident brought back memories of the devastating fire at Notre Dame cathedral in 2019, where the roof collapsed, highlighting the importance of safety measures during renovation work.
The Palace of Versailles press office assured that there was no damage to the building or the heritage collections, and investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the smoke. The incident served as a reminder of the fragility of historic buildings and the importance of ensuring proper safety protocols during renovation and restoration work.
The restoration of Notre Dame cathedral is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, showcasing the efforts to preserve and protect historic landmarks in France. The Palace of Versailles incident serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and safety measures to prevent any potential disasters in the future.
Source
Photo credit apnews.com
