Spire of Paris's 850-year-old Notre Dame
cathedral collapses as 'terrible' fire ravages the historic building with
flames erupting through the roof sending huge plume of smoke sweeping across
the city
- Officials
in Paris said a large operation had been launched in an attempt to bring
the raging fire under control
- Pictures
from around the city posted on social media showed flames licking up Notre
Dame's famous spire
- The
fire was first reported at 5.50pm (GMT) on Monday and the building was
evacuated soon afterwards
Pictures posted on social media showed enormous plumes of
smoke billowing into the city's skyline and flames engulfing large sections of
the historic building as firefighters struggled to contain the inferno.
According to French newspaper Le Monde, the fire broke
out in the attic of the monument before spreading across the roof.
A spokesperson for the cathedral said the blaze was first
reported at 5.50 pm (GMT) and the building was evacuated soon after.
Officials in Paris said the fire could be linked to
restoration works as the peak of the church is currently undergoing a 6 million-euro
($6.8 million) renovation project.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says firefighters are trying to
contain the 'terrible fire' and urged residents of the French capital to
stay away from the security perimeter around the Gothic-style church. The mayor
says city officials are in touch with Roman Catholic diocese in Paris.
The cathedral is one the finest example of French Gothic
architecture in Europe, and one of the most visited buildings in the world.
Notre Dame - which means 'Our Lady' - was built in 1160
and completed by 1260, and has been modified on a number of occasions
throughout the century.
It is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Paris, and is
visited by some 12million people every year.
