The Notre Dame fire is a roofer's worst fear come to life [View all]

[Javaman]

https://www.vox.com/first-person/2019/4/18/18412805/notre-dame-on-fire-cathedral-spire

I know how easy it is for a small mistake on any construction site to cause a massive disaster.

My social media feeds have been overwhelmed by my friends and colleagues mourning the burning of Notre Dame Cathedral these past two days. As a scholar of medieval studies, I get it — the building had a special resonance for lovers of history, architecture, and art.

But when I read that the fire was most likely caused by restoration workers, my heart broke for them. These roofers and restoration experts do the tireless work of keeping these buildings functional for all of us, and they do it at great personal risk and with little recognition.

My father is a roofer. My brother spent 30 years roofing, while I did it for seven summers. I know how easy it is for a small mistake on any construction site to cause a massive disaster.

I’m sure there are dozens of workers associated with Notre Dame who are thinking and rethinking every single action they took Monday trying to figure out if they are in any way responsible. My heart is shattered for them. They might never know for certain and they may never forgive themselves thinking it’s their fault. I have been in their boots.

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having worked construction myself, I know exactly what these writer means. and I support everything he says.