Spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris collapses in huge fire

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PARIS: Spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris collapsed in a huge fire on Monday afternoon, Xinhua news agency reported, quoting local media.

The fire broke out at around 1700 GMT local time, according to French media. It may be linked to renovation works being carried out at the medieval cathedral, one of the capital’s tourist magnets.

Paris Fire brigade members spray water to extinguish flames as the Notre Dame Cathedral burns in Paris, France. Photo: REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

Firefighters were still fighting to put the fire under control, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said.

“A terrible fire is underway at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, firefighters are trying to control the flames,” Hidalgo tweeted.

Firefighters fight to save the roof structure from the raging inferno. Photo: Reuters

“We are mobilised …in close connection with the Diocese of Paris. I invite everyone to respect the security perimeter,” she added.

Online footage showed a thick smoke billowing from the top of the cathedral and huge flames between its two bell towers engulfing the spire and the entire roof, both of which collapsed.

Firefighters douse flames from the burning Notre Dame Cathedral as people look on. Photo: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

“Everything is burning, the frame, which dates from the XII century on one side and the XIII on the other, there will be nothing left,” Andre Finot, the cathedral spokesperson told BFMTV news channel.

No casualties have been reported yet.

A view from inside the cathedral shows flames in the roof as firefighters douse it from below with hoses. A shocked firefighter looks back at the camera as the blaze is seen raging through a hole in the roof. Photo: Reuters

Following the blaze, President Emmanuel Macron, due to give a speech at 1800 GMT, delayed his TV appearance during which he intends to unveil a new batch of measures to quell social rebellion, his office said, without giving further details.

Speaking with tears in his eyes on the steps of the cathedral, Macron (centre) vowed to rebuild Notre Dame with the help of the international community. Photo source: EPA

“Notre Dame de Paris in flames. 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 burning,” Macron wrote in a tweet.

Accompanied with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Macron rushed to the centuries-old cathedral which attracts millions of foreign visitors every year.

The famous spire of Notre Dame collapsed dramatically at around 7.15pm GMT after the blaze tore through the wooden structure at the top of the building. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Paris prosecutor office has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the blaze.

As darkness fell on Paris on Monday evening the ruined cathedral was illuminated by the flames still burning in the roof as firefighters battled on against the inferno. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Notre Dame, according to Anadolu Agency reports is one of the most important touristic spots of Paris, Notre Dame – which means ‘Our Lady’ – dates back to 1345.

An aerial view of the cathedral taken from a police drone showed the famous structure completely stripped of its roof and still ablaze on the inside. Photo source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Turkey joined the rest of world in expressing sorrow at the massive fire which has engulfed the historic masterpiece, the news agency reported, quoting Turkey Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s tweet.

“We are following the fire destroying the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris with great sorrow. The destruction of this masterpiece of architecture is a catastrophe for the entire humanity,” he said in the tweet. – Bernama