A fire that broke out around 6.30pm on Monday 15 April has destroyed the roof and iconic Gothic spire of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Firefighters battling the blaze managed to save the 850-year-old cathedral’s main structure, as well as its two towers.
Paris’ fire brigade chief confirmed that the blaze had been brought under control in the early hours of Tuesday 16 April, although he warned the battle is not over yet and that the fire was likely to continue to burn for days.
The cause of the fire is as yet unknown and an investigation has been launched. It is suspected the blaze began during renovations that were being undertaken on the Unesco World Heritage landmark.
French president Emmanuel Macron has vowed the iconic cathedral will be rebuilt and has called on the people of France and the international community to assist with funding. A site taking online donations has already been launched and French billionaire François-Henri Pinault has pledged 100 million euros towards the rebuilding of the famous Notre Dame Cathedral.
