The miracle at Notre Dame

Between the lines: "Experts say the combination of a structure that’s more than 850 years old, built with heavy timber construction and soaring open spaces, and lacking sophisticated fire-protection systems led to the quick rise of flames," the AP reports.

There'll be a tense wait to see if certain priceless artifacts survived the flames.

• Saved: The crown of thorns, the tunic of Saint Louis, the twin bell towers, the rose windows, the Great Organ, rooftop statues representing the 12 apostles and 4 evangelists.
• Lost: Notre Dame's wooden latticework roof called "The Forest," made of hundreds of oak beams cut from trees between 1160 and 1170, and the spire, built in the 19th century amid a renewed restoration effort.
• Unconfirmed: The Gallery of the Kings, which includes statues sculpted in the 13th century and later beheaded in 1793; relics of St. Denis and St. Genevieve, which were held in the spire; a nail believed to have been used in the crucifixion; a piece of wood believed to be a piece of the cross.

The bottom line: "We're all just dumbfounded. It's more than miraculous, it's heroic,' vicar general Philippe Marsset said, per the AFP.

Before and after

Above: People attending mass at Notre Dame last year, and the same view today.

Below: The heart and transept at Notre Dame last year, and the same view today.

Go deeper:

• How newspapers around the world covered the tragedy
• YouTube's bogus Notre Dame-9/11 connection