A "terrible" fire destroys Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

A "terrible" fire destroys Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

A fire broke out at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the fire department said Monday, "probably linked" to the renovation work of this famous edifice, according to the fire brigades.

The fire spread to the roof of the medieval cathedral and quickly charged the top of the cathedral's huge tower, which collapsed after it, and then the entire surface fell.

A spokesman for the cathedral said the cathedral's wooden frame had probably fallen and that the dome of the cathedral was also threatened.

"Everything burns, nothing will remain of the frame," André Fillon, a spokesman for Notre Dame Cathedral, told French media.

The cathedral dates back to the 12th century and includes countless works of art and is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world.

The fire was not yet known, but French media quoted the Paris fire brigade as saying the fire was "linked" to a six-billion-euro ($ 6.8 billion) restoration project for the 250-tonne roof of the cathedral.

A French official confirmed that there were no reports of injuries in the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the authorities were investigating the cause of the fire.

A witness from Reuters said smoke could be seen rising from the top of the medieval cathedral, and flames flared next to the cathedral towers.

The collapse of the cathedral tower

Witnesses reported the collapse of the historical tower of Notre Dame Cathedral due to fire and the complete collapse of the cathedral roof.

The Paris prosecutor's office said it had launched an investigation into the fire.

Macaron shares France's pain

French President Emmanuel Macaron announced the cancellation of a letter addressed to the French by the fire, and went to Notre Dame Cathedral to keep up with the fire-fighting efforts.

McCron confirmed Monday that he shared "the whole nation's pain" because of the cathedral fire in Notre Dame, expressing "solidarity with all Catholics and all the French."

"Notre Dame du Barry is burning, a whole nation is suffering," Macron wrote on Twitter. "I'm sad this evening to see part of us burn."