I read several interviews today with the master builders of big cathedrals in Germany and Austria. Basically, they are all deeply shocked, the consensus being that nobody thought a catastrophe like that was possible in the 21st century. This appears to be the first major fire in a European cathedral after the second world war, where of course many cathedrals burnt down after bombings (for example, a similar fire broke out in St. Stephens in Vienna in 1945) [0]

In several regional papers, they are now discussing if such a fire would be possible in the local cathedrals (it would, of course) and whether sprinklers should be installed in wooden roof frameworks (which brings all sorts of problems). Only some newer cathedrals (for example the one in Cologne) or cathedrals that burnt during WWII have steel frameworks under their roof.

On an emotional level, I am quite touched by the international reaction to this catastrophe. Basically all cathedrals here in Germany rang their bells today at noon out of respect.

[0] http://www.pwein.at/Webpage-Holocaust/Geschichte-1938/Stepha...