The battle to halt the devastating blaze at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris evoked memories of the fire that took hold in York Minster 35 years ago.
Millions of euros have been pledged to help rebuild Notre-Dame after Monday's fire destroyed much of the 850-year-old Gothic building.
In the early hours of 9 July 1984, lightning set fire to York Minster's south transept causing £2.25m damage.
Experts at York said restoring Notre-Dame was "quite achievable".
John David, a master mason at York Minster, said Notre-Dame could be rebuilt using traditional crafts.
Mr David, who was working at the Minster in 1984 and dealt with the reconstruction after that fire, said work to repair the building may take time, but it would be done properly.
He said the two churches faced the same dilemma on reconstruction.
Mr David said: "At York Minster there were questions about whether we put an oak roof back on top or a steel roof or even a concrete roof.
"Some people think we can't do this sort of thing any more in traditional materials - we can, and so I think the roof will be reconstructed and put back on.
"I don't think it will take 10 years - it might take two years to decide what to do, but it's quite achievable."
Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu
tweeted to say he was offering prayers after the fire at Notre-Dame.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-47947195
York Minster 35 years ago.
