Notre Dame spire collapses as fire rages at iconic Paris cathedral

FAN Editor

The iconic spire at the top of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has collapsed after a major fire broke out Monday. Video showed part of the roof of the cathedral collapsing into itself as the fire rages on. 

“Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame,” Notre Dame spokesperson Andre Finot told French media, according to the Associated Press.

The deputy mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Gregoire, said the cathedral had suffered “colossal damages”, and the emergency services were trying to salvage the art and other priceless pieces stored in the cathedral. 

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the site to view the damage as firefighters continued what appeared to be a losing battle against the flames. The Ile de la Cité, the island in the Seine where the cathedral sits, was evacuated. Thousands of onlookers gathered along the banks of the river to watch the awful scene. 

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A collection of dramatic videos and photos spread through social media on Monday showing the roof and spire of the nearly 900-year-old cathedral engulfed in flames and massive amounts of smoke billowing up from its roof.   

FRANCE-FIRE-NOTRE DAME
Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris as the spire collapses on April 15, 2019. Francois Guillot / AFP/Getty Images

No deaths have been reported so far, according to the Associated Press. 

Authorities have not yet released the cause of the fire or any further information as to how the fight to suppress the flames has progressed. The fire may potentially involve renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said.

President Trump commented on the fire this afternoon as he attended a roundtable conference in Minnesota.

“It’s one of the great treasures of the world,” he said. “It’s part of our culture, it’s part of our lives. That is a truly great cathedral and I’ve been there, I’ve seen it, and there is… no cathedral in the world like it. It is a terrible scene.” The president added, “It looks like it’s burning to the ground.” 

Notre Dame was constructed in 1163 during the reign of King Louis VII and was completed in 1345. The cathedral is a worldwide Parisian icon and site of some of the most important moments in the history of France. Henry VI of England was crowned inside the cathedral in 1431 and Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned Emperor of France inside the cathedral in 1804. The cathedral receives 12 to 13 million visitors a year and is home to countless paintings, sculptures and other works of art. 

This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates. See below for a selection of photos and videos posted on social media from the scene.

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