The fire took place at a time when renovations were being carried out at the site. The cathedral is one of the most historic landmarks in Paris as well as one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.
While the spire of the landmark structure collapsed, the main structure of Notre-Dame Cathedral was fortunately saved after hours of fire-fighting to put out the blaze, the city's top fire official said late Monday.
Parisians watched in horror, some crying, others offering prayers, as red flames engulfed the historic structure.
But was the terrible tragedy already predicted and destined to happen?
Social media believes so after the heartbreaking scenes from Paris reminded them of Richard Linklater’s film Before Sunset (the second installment in Before series) starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.
The romantic-drama movie that came out back in 2004, a sequel to 1995's Before Sunrise, marks the reunion of Jesse and Céline in Paris after 9 years since their first night together in Vienna.
In one of the scenes in Before Sunset, Jesse (aboard a boat) glances at the Paris structure and shares a legend with Céline about the beauty that is Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Jesse: I heard this story once, about when the... the Germans were occupying Paris and they had to retreat back, they wire Notre Dame to blow. But they had to... they had to leave one guy in charge of hitting the switch and the guy, the soldier, he... he couldn't do it. You know, he just sat there, knocked out by how beautiful the place was. And then, when the Allied troops came in, they found all the explosives just lying there... and the switch unturned and they found the same thing at Sacre Coeur... Eiffel Tower and a couple of other places, I think.
Céline: Is that true?
Jesse: I don't know... I always liked the story though.
Céline: Yeah, that's a great story. But you have to think that Notre Dame will be gone one day. There used to be another church or cathedral at the same. Right there.
The prediction (or coincidence) of the tragedy 15 years ago in a movie rattled Twitterati as they paid their tributes to the 850-year-old landmark by sharing the clips and screenshots from Before Sunset.
"Thanks to Twitter on the tragic occasion for reminding me of this scene from Before Sunset. As Notre Dame is engulfed in flame it's worth remembering that all physical beauty is fleeting. Enjoy it while it's there & remember it after it's gone," wrote one user.
The saddest Notre Dame reference in films.
— nonickname (@nonicknamefilm) April 15, 2019
Before Sunset (2004) #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/sZXCVt0Cz0
Before Sunset (2004) #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/OjVlcjVuej
— TUT (@cowsel9) April 15, 2019
#NotreDame Before Sunset (2004)
— Two Culture Ducks (@TwoCultureDucks) April 15, 2019
That one day came too fast to #Paris... pic.twitter.com/KbJJc4pMwQ
"Notre Dame will be gone one day"
— Юность | Lia ✈ (@drakesmad) April 15, 2019
Before Sunset (2004) #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/kWVfLKOAVO
Before Sunset (Richard Linklater, 2004). Truly heartbreaking. #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/8akZdDJQ8k
— (@breathinghessa) April 15, 2019
"But you have to think that Notre Dame will be gone one day.”
— Your soul is a river (@whitewallsme) April 15, 2019
Before Sunset (2004) Dir. Richard Linklater pic.twitter.com/tcW07lue9y
#NotreDame (Paris, France) in a contemporary romantic cult film: "Before Sunset". pic.twitter.com/H1QG4JF7QM
— Darren Williams (@DazAltTheory) April 15, 2019
it sad but it’s true :(
— P. (@P4NTIWA) April 16, 2019
- Before sunset (2004)
Dir. Richard Linklater. #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/S5OVgsFOJ4
Before Sunset pic.twitter.com/T1y055PUl4
— Lalara (@LaraVento) April 15, 2019
Left : A scene from the movie “ before sunset “ (2004)
— Shaima AlHosni (@Shaima_AlH) April 15, 2019
Right : 15 years later in Paris .. #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/LYtvlDz4Sb
Before Sunset (2004) pic.twitter.com/1OtbpCJr2Z
— Thysz ✊🌈 #ResistTogether (@thysz) April 15, 2019
before sunset #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/UYvplgJb1n
— ♡ (@electrawaves) April 15, 2019
The saddest Notre Dame reference in films
— Hanadi Alshawafi (@hanadyalshwafy) April 15, 2019
Before Sunset (2004) #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/nx9MSnESPI
Don't want to break anyone's heart, but this is the clip I always think of when someone mentions Notre Dame. https://t.co/o8SOE39FCr
— Ian Dunt (@IanDunt) April 15, 2019
You can watch the scene from Before Sunset here:
