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Notre-Dame cathedral: Firefighters tackle blaze in Paris | Notre-Dame cathedral: Firefighters tackle blaze in Paris |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A major fire has engulfed the medieval Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, one of France's most famous landmarks. | |
The 850-year-old Gothic building's spire and roof have collapsed but the main structure, including the two bell towers, has been saved, officials say. | |
Firefighters are still working to contain the blaze as teams are trying to salvage the artwork stored inside. | |
President Emmanuel Macron called it a "terrible tragedy". The cause of the fire is not yet clear. | |
But officials say it could be linked to the renovation work that began after cracks appeared in the stone, sparking fears the structure could become unstable. | |
The Paris prosecutor's office said it has opened an inquiry into "accidental destruction by fire". | |
Visiting the scene, Mr Macron said the "worst had been avoided" and that an international fundraising scheme to rebuild the cathedral would be launched. | |
How did the fire spread? | |
The fire began early on Monday evening and quickly reached the roof of the cathedral, destroying its stained-glass windows and the wooden interior before toppling the spire. | |
Firefighters worked for hours to prevent one of the main bell towers from collapsing. | |
But the main structure had been "saved and preserved" from total destruction, Paris fire chief Jean-Claude Gallet said. | |
Deputy Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said the cathedral had suffered "colossal damages", and teams were working to save the cathedral's remaining valuable artwork. | |
Speaking to French broadcaster BFMTV, historian Camille Pascal said "invaluable heritage" had been destroyed, adding: "Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre Dame. We can be only horrified by what we see". | |
How have people reacted? | |
Thousands of people gathered in the streets around the cathedral, observing the flames in silence. Some could be seen openly weeping, while others sang hymns or said prayers. | |
Several churches around Paris rang their bells in response to the blaze. | |
Mr Macron, who cancelled an address to the nation because of the fire, said the cathedral was a building "for all French people", including those who had never been there. | |
"We will rebuild Notre Dame together", he said as he praised the "extreme courage" and "professionalism" of the firefighters. | |
A symbol of a country | A symbol of a country |
Analysis by Henri Astier, BBC World Online | Analysis by Henri Astier, BBC World Online |
No other site represents France quite like Notre-Dame. Its main rival as a national symbol, the Eiffel Tower, is little more than a century old. Notre-Dame has stood tall above Paris since the 1200s. | No other site represents France quite like Notre-Dame. Its main rival as a national symbol, the Eiffel Tower, is little more than a century old. Notre-Dame has stood tall above Paris since the 1200s. |
It has given its name to one of the country's literary masterpieces. Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is known to the French simply as Notre-Dame de Paris. | |
The last time the cathedral suffered major damage was during the French Revolution. It survived two world wars largely unscathed. | The last time the cathedral suffered major damage was during the French Revolution. It survived two world wars largely unscathed. |
Watching such an embodiment of the permanence of a nation burn and its spire collapse is profoundly shocking to any French person. | Watching such an embodiment of the permanence of a nation burn and its spire collapse is profoundly shocking to any French person. |
Facts about Notre-Dame | Facts about Notre-Dame |
What has been the international reaction? | |
The Vatican has said news of the fire has caused "shock and sadness," adding that it was praying for the French fire services. | |
UK Prime Minister Theresa May said in a tweet: "My thoughts are with the people of France tonight and with the emergency services who are fighting the terrible blaze at Notre-Dame cathedral". | |
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has offered her support to the people of France, calling Notre-Dame a "symbol of French and European culture". | |
US President Donald Trump suggested "perhaps flying water tankers" could be used to extinguish the fire. | |
Are you in the area? Did you witness the fire? Emailhaveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you in the area? Did you witness the fire? Emailhaveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |