To improve the performance of our website, show the most relevant news products and targeted advertising, we collect technical impersonal information about you, including through the tools of our partners. You can find a detailed description of how we use your data in our Privacy Policy. For a detailed description of the technologies, please see the Cookie and Automatic Logging Policy. By clicking on the "Accept & Close" button, you provide your explicit consent to the processing of your data to achieve the above goal. You can withdraw your consent using the method specified in the Privacy Policy.<doc-sep>Paris (CNN) Investigators sifting through the fire-ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris warned of potential weaknesses in the remains of the building Tuesday, as experts said it could take months just to identify the scale of the reconstruction task. While the building was assessed to be structurally sound overall, pictures showed gaping holes in the roof where the ancient vaulted ceiling had collapsed into the nave. French Junior Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said experts had identified "some vulnerabilities" in the building, particularly in the roof, much of which has been destroyed, and part of the north transept. Some nearby residential properties were evacuated as authorities assess the scale of the damage from the blaze that engulfed the medieval landmark Monday night. Firefighters said it took more than nine hours before the flames were brought under control. It was not immediately known what caused the fire, which began on Monday evening in the attic, according to the Paris Fire Brigade. The cathedral, and its central spire -- an area where the fire was first visible to onlookers -- had been surrounded by scaffolding amid construction work. Scores of priceless artifacts were rescued from the flames , and will be taken to the Louvre museum for safekeeping. Paris prosecutors have opened an investigation, but on Tuesday Prosecutor Rémy Heitz said "nothing shows that it's an intentional act," and that the start of the fire was "likely accidental." Heitz also said that the investigation, which is in its early stages, is expected to be a long process. Lt. Col.Gabriel Plus, a spokesman for the fire brigade, said internal security officers first heard the fire alarm at 6:20 p.m. (12:20 p.m. ET) and began to evacuate the cathedral, even though they didn't see any sign of fire. François-Xavier Lochet, a 70-year-old worshiper, said the alarm interrupted a Mass. Lochet said he noticed visitors began to get ushered out but those who had gathered for the service remained and the priest resumed. He said Mass continued until a police officer went up and told the priest, "This is no joke. You've got to get out." Twenty-three minutes later, the fire alarm rang again, Plus said. That's when the cathedral's security officers noticed the flames. Firefighters were unable to save the cathedral's 19th century spire, which burned to a blackened shell before toppling as thousands of Parisians who had gathered in the streets watched in horror. Two police officers and a firefighter suffered minor injuries, the brigade said. A day after flames engulfed the cathedral, hundreds of people marched on Paris' streets Tuesday night, praying and singing hymns together. People attend a vigil near the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Tuesday. Pledge to rebuild French President Emmanuel Macron said he wants the cathedral to be rebuilt in five years. "We will rebuild Notre Dame even more beautiful and I want that to be done in the next five years," Macron said in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday night. "Throughout our history, we have built towns, ports, churches. Many have been burnt due to revolutions, wars, due to mankind's mistakes. Each time we have rebuilt them. "The fire of Notre Dame reminds us that our story never ends. And that we will always have challenges to overcome. What we believe to be indestructible can also be touched," Macron added. At the scene of the fire on Monday night, Macron had vowed to reconstruct "because that is what the French expect, that is what our history merits, and this is our deep destiny." But Frédéric Létoffé, the co-president of a group of French companies specializing in restoring historic buildings, cautioned that full restoration of the Gothic cathedral could take significantly longer -- around "10 to 15 years." He told reporters earlier Tuesday that the site will need to be secured before any restoration work can take place. "This will require a lot of work since, beyond shoring and reinforcement, it will be necessary to build a scaffolding with an umbrella to be able to cover the entire roof that went missing, to ensure protection against weathering" he added. Pledges of funding to help the restoration work were flooding in on Tuesday, with more than $700 million in donations from French business leaders and businesses confirmed by Tuesday afternoon. They include a €200 million ($226 million) donation by the family of French billionaire businessman Bernard Arnault and his LVMH luxury goods group, a €112.2 million (approximately $126.5) pledge from the French Heritage Foundation, and a €200 million ($226 million) donation from the Bettencourt Meyers family, L'Oréal group and the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation. Valérie Pecresse, president of the Île de France region, told CNN affiliate BFMTV that the region will provide €10 million ($11.13 million) of emergency aid for Notre Dame, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said she would host a fundraising conference at Paris City Hall in the coming weeks. French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said it could take months to assess the damage. Shock and horror On Tuesday, the city was reeling from the aftermath of the blaze. Most French political parties suspended their European election campaigns. Nathalie Loiseau, a former Europe minister and a candidate for Emmanuel Macron's "La République en Marche" party, said the party's campaign would be suspended "until further notice." "We are going through a profound moment of sadness," Loiseau said in a tweet. Many people gathered near the site on Tuesday, paying their respects to a landmark that to Parisians, and to some 13 million visitors each year, is a symbol of the French capital. "For me, it's much more than stones, it's a part of myself that is burning," Paris resident Sarah Virot, 32, said as she looked up at the charred church in front of her. JUST WATCHED See the moment Notre Dame's iconic spire falls Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH See the moment Notre Dame's iconic spire falls 00:30 As the fire raged on Monday night, thousands of Parisians and tourists stood, horrified, in front of the 850-year-old-Gothic masterpiece. Some sang hymns as, a few days before Easter, one of the symbols of French Catholicism burned in front of them. "It's awful to see such a symbol disappearing in front of you. It's been there for so many years and in a few minutes half of it disappeared," local Thibaud Binetruy said. "Paris without Notre Dame, madness." Another witness, Anne Marie, spoke with tears in her eyes. "In Paris, it's a monumental symbol -- every person with different religions are really moved and saddened," she said. "Paris without the cathedral is not Paris anymore." Messages of support and mourning have poured in from around the world. The Vatican said the Holy See learned with "shock and sadness the news of the terrible fire that has devastated the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, symbol of Christianity, in France and in the world." The fire "goes beyond Paris," said the city's archbishop, Michel Christian Alain Aupetit. "I received a supportive message from the chief rabbi of Paris. Everyone is writing in to share their feelings. This goes beyond Paris. People are reacting worldwide." Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu described the fire as a "disaster for all humanity," while London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the British capital "stands in sorrow" with Paris. "Heartbreaking scenes of Notre Dame cathedral in flames. London stands in sorrow with Paris today, and in friendship always," Khan said on Twitter. US President Donald Trump also weighed in, calling it a "terrible, terrible fire." His suggestions on how to tackle the conflagration were less welcome than his sympathy however. The French Civil Security Agency pushed back against Trump tweeting that "flying water tankers could be used to put it out," pointing out that dropping water on the ancient church could cause its collapse. Works of art, artifacts saved Images of flames engulfing the cathedral -- a UNESCO world heritage site since 1991 and one of Paris's most popular tourist sites -- were splashed around the globe. But as shocking as the scene appeared, it could have been so much worse. Its iconic facade and towers were salvaged, as were a host of invaluable artifacts and works of art stored inside, including the Holy Crown, believed by many to be from the crown of thorns placed on the head of Jesus during the crucifixion, and which the cathedral calls its "most precious and most venerated relic." Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral Notre Dame cathedral is seen on April 14, on the eve of the one year anniversary of the disastrous fire that ravaged the famous church. Hide Caption 1 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral French Army General Jean-Louis Georgelin, head of Notre Dame Cathedral's reconstruction, speaks to journalists in Paris on April 14. Work at the Paris site has been suspended since March 16, when France introduced widespread measures to help control the spread of Covid-19. Hide Caption 2 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral Notre Dame and the Pont de la Tournelle bridge are reflected in the Seine river on Easter Sunday, April 12. Hide Caption 3 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral Notre Dame cathedral rector Patrick Chauvet repositions the Crown of Thorns, a relic of the passion of Christ, after a meditation ceremony to celebrate Good Friday in a secured part of Notre Dame on April 10. Hide Caption 4 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral Professional mountain climbers work on a part of the Notre Dame Cathedral restoration on January 29. Hide Caption 5 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral Notre Dame Cathedral is seen undergoing renovations on January 6. Hide Caption 6 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral A carpet from Notre Dame cathedral undergoes restoration at 'the Mobilier National' headquarters in Paris on September 12, 2019. Hide Caption 7 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral A protective net is seen installed at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral during preliminary work on May 15, 2019, one month after the fire. Hide Caption 8 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral Flowers are laid on a bridge in front of Notre Dame on April 17, 2019. Hide Caption 9 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral Debris from the roof lies near the altar inside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 16, 2019, the day after the devastating fire. Hide Caption 10 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral Daylight shines through the fallen roof of Notre Dame on April 16, 2019. Hide Caption 11 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral The interior of Notre Dame is seen in this photo taken April 16, 2019. Hide Caption 12 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral A man inspects damage near charred windows. Hide Caption 13 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral Firefighters exit Notre Dame Cathedral on April 16, 2019. Hide Caption 14 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral The burnt out cathedral is seen from the top of the Montparnasse tower the day after the fire. Hide Caption 15 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral A woman reacts near Notre Dame the morning after the devastating fire. Hide Caption 16 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral A crane lifts experts as they inspect the damage. Hide Caption 17 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral People take photos at the scene on April 16, 2019. Hide Caption 18 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral People stop to view Notre Dame Cathedral on the morning following the fire. Hide Caption 19 of 47 Photos: In pictures: The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral Fire crews continue to secure the cathedral on April 16, 2019.<doc-sep>
Notre-Dame Cathedral, in the heart of Paris, is on fire. The church took hundreds of years to build, and wooden support beams put inside in the 1200s are still there today. Unlike the stone towers at the front of the building, those wooden frames inside make the church flame-friendly. Notre-Dame Cathedral, an intricately-carved gothic church that has been sitting in the heart of central Paris for more than 850 years, is on fire. The blaze erupted late Monday afternoon, as stunned tourists and locals stood on the streets ofÎle de la Cité, an island in the middle of the Seine where the church is located. Many people opened their phones and filmed the bright orange flames billowing into the sky.The two iconic stone bell towers at the front of Notre-Dame were not immediately consumed by the flames, but the roof of the church that connects those towers to the flying buttresses at the back was quickly engulfed in yellow-tinged smoke. Construction crews had been working on a $6.8 million renovation of the church's spire. That spire, pictured below, fell to the flames around an hour after the blaze broke out. A church spokesman told French media that the medieval frame, which is like the church's skeleton, was also alight. That is not good news for the church. The hulking framework of wooden beams that supports Notre-Dame is composed of huge pieces of timber tinder, ripe for catching light. The supports are even called a "forêt" (or forest), because they're enormous pieces of oak. This "charpente" or frame, was built from 1,300 oak trees, enough wood to fill more than 21 hectares of land, La Tribune reported. According to Notre-Dame de Paris, the church framing is more than 100 meters long and the beams that are burning have been standing there since the 13th century. NOW WATCH: What happens if you stop washing your hair for a year Even the church's website writes, almost forbodingly, that "fire is not impossible" for the gothic masterpiece that took roughly 200 years to build . The wood framing sits under a lead roof, which weighs 210 tonnes.