Conspiracy Theories Surround Notre Dame Fire Accident

News of the historical artistic cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris being inflamed with fire has been dominating the news and internet conversations widely with worldwide grieve and shock over the historical and cultural loss.

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On Monday morning, French authorities confirmed that around 400 firefighters have totally extinguished the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, around nine hours of battling the blaze that burnt the 850-year-old cathedral’s entire roof and its distinguished spire.

Meanwhile, Parisians who saw the cathedral going up in smoke were gathering along the banks of Seine in shock and disbelief questioning the reasons behind the fire amid fears of losing this cherished place that has been standing there since the 1200s.

Despite that the authorities confirmed the cathedral was under renovation works attributing the fire to a reconstruction-related accident ruling out any terrorism motives, many conspiracy theorists and right-wing voices raised speculations of possible other “unrevealed” reasons behind the fire; such as a deliberate attack or even a terrorist attack.

On social media platforms, several comments and posts were shared by people expressing skepticism over the authorities narrative.

Statements and comments blaming the attacks on immigrants, Muslims or a so-called “Islamic-related terrorism” by right-wing conspiracy theorists were also circulating the internet.

Some have also accused Jews, UK’s Theresa May along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and even Michelle Obama, former US first lady.

Meanwhile, Infowars’' Paul Joseph Watson was citing French far-right Damien Rieu who was tweeting video claiming French Muslims on Facebook are sharing smiley faces on the video of the Notre Dame fire.

Others have also liked to call it the “11/9 of Paris”, in reference to the terrorist attacks hit New York’s World Trade Center in 2001 in which a human tragedy killed thousands of civilians.

This came after YouTube had mistakenly flagged Notre Dame fire videos as 9/11.

Yet, seizing upon the horrific Notre Dame fire by extremists to spread hate seemed to be a failed attempt as messages of solidarity with France and French people for such a loss have been pouring out from social media from different parts of the world, in confirmation that the fire and loss of parts of the Notre Dame Cathedral hurt everyone despite the religious differences for what it represents of cultural and historical heritage for humanity.

The Notre Dame fire has been shocking for Parisians and millions around the world as well who were left in shock and grief over the old artistic building.