National Cathedral damage. Photo by Kallie Bienvenu.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Safety nets are being installed along the ceiling of the Washington National Cathedral to guard against falling debris after the cathedral was damaged by an earthquake last week.
A 5.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the East Coast on Aug. 23 caused three of the four spires of the cathedral's central tower to break off, sending stonework crashing into the building's roof. Major cracks also appeared in some of the building's flying buttresses.
A spokesman for the cathedral says the overall structure of the cathedral remains sound, but repairs will likely cost millions of dollars.
The cathedral plans to re-open the weekend of Sept. 11.
By JESSICA GRESKO
Associated Press