A fire at the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France has destroyed most of the roof and collapsed the church's central spire. Eyewitness videos show smoke and fire engulfing the jewel of Gothic architecture. UPDATE: Notre Dame towers ‘saved’ from the blaze, French firefighters hope The blaze broke out in the scaffolding around the spire on Monday afternoon, Paris firefighters confirmed, adding that a major operation to tackle the fire is underway. "Everything is burning.There won't be anything left of the wood frame, which dates to the XIX century on one side and the XII century on the other," Notre Dame spokesman Andre Finot told French media. "We'll have to see if the [stone] vault, which protects the cathedral, will be touched or not." ⚡SUIVI - Situation en cours à la cathédrale #NotreDame de Paris vue d'un drone de la police. (📹@alex_fremont) pic.twitter.com/M7FKFh3gB0 — Brèves de presse (@Brevesdepresse) April 15, 2019 The cathedral is home to incalculable works of art. Smoke billowing from Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. pic.twitter.com/mvx4jN19fH — David Almacy (@almacy) April 15, 2019 There have been no reports on casualties. It is unknown what might have caused the fire. The medieval cathedral is one of the main attractions of the French capital, seeing 12 million tourists a year, more than the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower. The incident took place as the jewel of the Gothic architecture was undergoing a major overhaul costing €11 million ($ 12.43 million), with the work scheduled to be finished around 2022. Notre Dame's roof and the central spire have been destroyed by the flames. The fire has also damaged some of the famous stained glass windows, painstakingly re-created in the 1800s. Fire coming through the stained glass windows. Nearly a thousand years of history going up in flames. Completely heartbroken #Notredamepic.twitter.com/WKDcEY7QkE — Mélanie Gouby (@Melaniegouby) April 15, 2019 There are unconfirmed reports in local media that the priceless relics stored inside the cathedral, including the Crown of Thorns and a piece of the True Cross, have not been damaged. The cathedral's reliquary has not been evacuated, however. Last week, 16 bronze statues representing 12 apostles and four evangelists from the New Testament were lifted off the spire of the cathedral by crane. Some scaffolding could be seen close to the flames leaping out near the cathedral’s spire, before it toppled over. Here's a live feed from Notre Dame of the cathedral on fire, from an eyewitness in Paris: https://t.co/D1h7kybrPq doesn't look good! — Stephanie McNeal (@stephemcneal) April 15, 2019 The spire itself was made of wood and covered with lead. It has long been in a bad shape as elements of the construction dating back to the 12th century have been damaged by weather, pollution and time. Construction of Notre Dame began in 1163. It was extensively restored in the mid-1800s, after Victor Hugo's novel about the hunchback bell-ringer Quasimodo revived the public interest in the cathedral. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!<doc-sep>Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris has caught fire, with flames visible from the roof and firefighters attending the scene. Images emerged showing the upper parts of the gothic cathedral engulfed by flames. The 90-metre-high spire and parts of the roof completely collapsed, and the fire spread to the bell towers. It took nine hours to bring it under control. The fire started at approximately 7pm local time and brought hundreds of people out into the street of Paris. A spokesperson for the cathedral told Associated Press that the cathedral's wooden interior was ablaze and likely to be destroyed. "A terrible fire" Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo described it as "a terrible fire" on her Twitter page, and urged onlookers to respect the security boundaries in place while the fire brigade tackled the blaze. French president Emmanuel Macron cancelled a speech he was due to give so he could attend the scene. He also made a statement on Twitter, describing the situation as "emotion of a whole nation". "Thought for all Catholics and for all French. Like all our compatriots, I am sad tonight to see this part of us burn," he said. Renovation works thought to be cause The cause of the fire is unconfirmed, but officials told BBC News it might linked to renovation. The historic cathedral had been in bad condition after decades of damage from weather and pollution. Large cracks and fissures had appeared in the structure, and many of its gargoyles were either damaged or destroyed. Un dispositif exceptionnel est mis en place pour éteindre l'incendie #NotreDame #Paris : 400 pompiers sont mobilisés. Évitez le secteur et suivez les consignes de @prefpolice. #HérosduQuotidien pic.twitter.com/hfKG8yFSvW — Ministère de l'Intérieur (@Place_Beauvau) April 15, 2019 The restoration project was estimated to cost €150 million. It was being partially funded by the French state, but additional funds were being sourced from private donors. The building, constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries, is considered one the world's finest examples of gothic architecture, thanks to its pioneering use of rib vaults and flying buttresses, as well as its striking stained-glass rose windows. Cathedral could be rebuilt French officials said they were doing all they could to tackle the blaze. However they said that water-dropping aircrafts could not be used as they posed a threat to the building's structural integrity. This form of action was suggested by US president Donald Trump on Twitter. "Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out," he wrote. If destroyed, it would be possible to rebuild the cathedral. Thanks to the work of art historian Andrew Tallon, who passed away in late 2018, laser scans have been used to map the entire structure of the building. Main image is by AFP/Getty Images.<doc-sep>Historic Notre-Dame Cathedral is seen in flames in central Paris on April 15, 2019. (Solveig Godeluck via Twitter) Compiled from Associated Press and other news reports. Flames are tearing through the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday. Video and photos of flames bursting through one of the most historic and recognizable buildings in the world were circulating on social media on Monday. Article continues below... The BBC is reporting that the cause of the fire is not clear, but officials say it may be related to work from a major ongoing renovation. The started at some time in the afternoon in Paris and has continued to grow into the evening. Fire Chief Jean-Claude Gallet said outside the iconic cathedral as his crews battled the blaze into the evening from both the exterior and interior: “We are not sure we are capable of stopping the spreading” to Notre Dame’s second tower and belfry. Gallet said: “If it collapses, you can imagine how important the damage will be.” The deputy mayor of Paris says Notre Dame Cathedral has suffered “colossal damages” from a fire that started in the spire and caused it to collapse. Speaking to BFMTV, Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said first responders had tried to salvage the art and other priceless pieces stored in the cathedral. A cathedral spokesman has told the AP that the entire wooden interior of the Notre Dame is burning and likely to be destroyed. “Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame,” Notre Dame spokesman Andre Finot told French media. The 12th-century cathedral is home to incalculable works of art and is one of the world’s most famous tourist attractions. French historian Camille Pascal told BFM broadcast channel the fire was destroying “invaluable heritage.” “It’s been 800 years that the Cathedral watches over Paris”, Pascal said. “Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre Dame.” Police have told reporters there have been no reported deaths, but have not commented on possible injuries. Sidewalks and streets surrounding the beloved landmark were packed with onlookers, according to reports. President Trump Tweeted: So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly! France’s civil security agency says “all means” except for water-dropping aircraft were deployed to tackle the blaze. The defense agency said those were unsuitable for fires like the one at Notre Dame because dumping water on the building could cause the whole structure to collapse. According to the Associated Press, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo is in despair at the “terrible fire.” Hidalgo said in a Twitter message that Paris firefighters are still trying to limit the fire and urged Paris citizens to respect the security perimeter that has been set around the cathedral. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, Notre Dame is the most famous of the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages as well as one of the most beloved structures in the world. Situated on the Ile de la Cite, an island in the Seine river, the cathedral’s architecture is famous for, among other things, its many gargoyles and its iconic flying buttresses. Among the most celebrated artworks inside are its three stained-glass rose windows, placed high up on the west, north and south faces of the cathedral. Its priceless treasures also include a Catholic relic, the crown of thorns, which is only occasionally displayed, including on Fridays during Lent. This is a breaking story and will be updated. Historic Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris is seen on amateur video as it burns on Monday afternoon. (Shiv Malik – Twitter ) Historic Notre Dame Cathedrial in central Paris is on seen amateur video engulfed in flames on Monday afternoon. (Niderime via Twitter)<doc-sep>A major fire has caused extensive damage to Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, one of the city's best known landmarks. Flames that began in the early evening burst rapidly through the roof of the centuries-old cathedral and engulfed the spire, which collapsed, quickly followed by the entire roof. A huge plume of smoke wafted across the city and ash fell over a large area. Parisians watched on, many of them lost for words. Paris police said tonight that the structure of the cathedral had been saved, and the fire has been stopped from spreading to the northern belfry. Prosecutors believe the fire started accidentally, based on their preliminary investigation. Paris fire commander Jean-Claude Gallet said a major accomplishment of hundreds of fire fighters was stopping the flames from spreading to the north tower belfry. He said two-thirds of Notre Dame's roofing "has been ravaged" and one fire fighter was injured. Fire crews will keep working overnight to cool down the structure, Mr Gallet said. Fire crews inside Notre-Dame cathedral tonight French President Emmanuel Macron said tonight that the cathedral will be rebuilt. Speaking at the scene of the blaze he said: "We will rebuild Notre-Dame." He said "the worst has been avoided" thanks to the work of the fire crews and he vowed to draw on the "best talent" to complete the reconstruction works. Speaking at the scene, President Macron said Notre-Dame would be rebuilt President Macron said that "starting tomorrow" he would launch an international appeal for the restoration of the beloved church. "And we will rebuild Notre-Dame because it is what the French expect," he said. He also expressed his sympathy with Catholics around the world on what had been a "terrible tragedy". We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences A major fire has broken out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris | Read more: https://t.co/dxLrHDAm9a pic.twitter.com/A65ME4yqBt — RTÉ News (@rtenews) April 15, 2019 A major fire has broken out at Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris | https://t.co/dxLrHDAm9a pic.twitter.com/XE6zaA5gqp — RTÉ News (@rtenews) April 15, 2019 Firefighters tried to contain the blaze with water hoses and cleared the area around Notre-Dame, which sits on an island in the River Seine and marks the very centre of Paris. We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences World leaders have been expressing their sadness about the destruction caused by the blaze. Here, President Michael D Higgins said Notre-Dame cathedral was a building which the people of Paris have shared with millions from all over the world, as part of a shared global cultural heritage. He said, "As President of Ireland I would like to express the feelings of solidarity of the Irish people with the people of France at the catastrophic damage to one of the most iconic buildings in Europe." President Higgins added: "The Notre-Dame Cathedral has suffered many instances of catastrophic damage over the centuries, and it is my hope that it will survive this latest terrible catastrophe." The Vatican issued a statement that said: "The Holy See has seen with shock and sadness the news of the terrible fire that has devastated the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, symbol of Christianity in France and in the world." The statement said the Vatican is praying for firefighters "and those who are doing everything possible to confront this dramatic situation". Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Armagh and Catholic Primate of All Ireland, Eamon Martin has tweeted that it is heartbreaking to see the sacred and historic Notre Dame cathedral engulfed in flames. He said he was sending prayers from Ireland to Archbishop Michel Aupetit and the people of Paris. The Louvre Museum has described the blaze as "a tragedy for World Heritage". A comment on the art museum's official Twitter account said: "The fire which has struck Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is a tragedy for World Heritage. "The Louvre expresses its deepest admiration and solidarity with those who are currently battling the flames." A UNESCO World Heritage site The cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century, features in Victor Hugo's classic novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame". It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts millions of tourists every year. The cathedral was in the midst of renovations, with some sections under scaffolding, and bronze statues were removed last week for works. Built over a century starting in 1163, Notre-Dame is considered to be among the finest examples of French Gothic cathedral architecture. Its 100-metre-long (330-foot) roof, of which a large section was consumed in the first hour of the blaze, was one of the oldest such structures in Paris, according to the cathedral’s website. A centre of Roman Catholic faith, over the centuries Notre-Dame has also been a target of political upheaval. It was ransacked by rioting Protestant Huguenots in the 16th century, pillaged again during the French Revolution of the 1790s and left in a state of semi-neglect. Hugo’s 1831 work led to revived interest in the cathedral and a major – partly botched - restoration that began in 1844. The wood-and-lead spire was built during that restoration, according to the cathedral's website. UNESCO said in a tweet it was "closely monitoring the situation and is standing by France's side to safeguard and restore this invaluable heritage".<doc-sep>
A massive fire broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday afternoon, sending flames shooting out of the roof and toppling its spire as firefighters desperately fought to save the iconic Catholic landmark. A fire official told Agence France-Presse that the main structure is “saved and preserved.” The cause of the blaze is not yet known, and there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities. Officials said the fire was potentially linked to the renovation of the building. Scaffolding could be seen ablaze on the roof of the famous façade. Earlier, officials had expressed fear the entire cathedral could be lost. Church spokesman Andre Finot told French media that the church’s frame was also aflame. “Everything is burning,” Finot said. Smoke and flames engulf the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral on Monday. (Photo: Pierre Galey/AFP/Getty Images) PHOTOS: Fire breaks out at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris >>> On Twitter, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo urged residents of the French capital to stay away while firefighters tried to control the flames. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the scene of the fire early Monday evening. “Notre-Dame de Paris in flames,” Macron tweeted. “Emotion of a whole nation. Thought for all Catholics and for all French. Like all our compatriots, I am sad tonight to see this part of us burn.” Hundreds of people gathered in the streets below to watch the blaze, some in tears, others simply shouting its name. A CNN International correspondent said that blowing cinders were falling on their heads. The spire begins to fall. (Photo: Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images) Dramatic images posted to social media showed the roof of the medieval cathedral engulfed in flames and its spire collapsing into the church. BREAKING: The roof of the Notre Dame Cathedral has collapsed into the church: pic.twitter.com/gXTUzRXV9L — J.D. Durkin (@jiveDurkey) April 15, 2019 Smoke could be seen billowing from miles away. Story continues Le feu s’étend à toute la toiture #NotreDamedeParis pic.twitter.com/42wcwKJ3na — Thomas Vampouille (@tomvampouille) April 15, 2019 There was some good news. “Good news: all the works of art were saved,” reported French journalist Nicolas Delesalle. “The treasure of the Cathedral is intact, the Crown of thorns, the Holy sacraments.” The Gothic cathedral is one of the world’s most famous tourist attractions. The foundation stone was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163, and construction of the building took more than two decades. It survived the French Revolution in the late 18th century and experienced a surge in popularity following the publication of Victor Hugo's novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in 1831. Parisians gathered for a vigil blocks from the burning cathedral to sing hymns. Others posted aerial images from French TV. Une autre image de #NotreDame toujours en flamme captée par le drone de la police (via @alex_fremont) pic.twitter.com/dvvLBV6PhG — Antoine Llorca ⭐️⭐️ (@antoinellorca) April 15, 2019 President Trump addressed the fire at a Monday economic roundtable in Minnesota. Trump called Notre Dame a “truly great cathedral” and said the blaze put a “damper on what we’re about to say.” “They’re having a terrible, terrible fire. You probably saw,” Trump remarked. “But I will tell you that the fire that they are having at the Notre Dame Cathedral is something like few people have witnessed.” He continued: “It was burning at a level you rarely see a fire burn. It’s one of the great treasures of the world. ... Probably, if you think about it, it might be greater than almost any museum in the world, and it’s burning very badly. Looks like it’s burning to the ground.” While traveling on Air Force One to the event, the president offered advice. So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2019 France's civil security agency said “all means” except for water-dropping aircraft were deployed to tackle the blaze, per the Associated Press. The defense agency said those were unsuitable for fires like the one at Notre Dame because dumping water on the building could cause the whole structure to collapse. As night fell on Paris, the fire continued to burn. Plumes of yellow brown smoke fill the air above Notre Dame Cathedral. (Photo: Michel Euler/AP) Bystanders look on as flames and smoke billow from the roof. (Photo: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images) The fire continues into the night. (Photo: Thibault Camus/AP) — With Christopher Wilson contributing.