The steeple of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral collapses as the cathedral is engulfed in flames
A shard of the cathedral’s spire plummets through the air as it collapsed earlier this evening after the fire chewed through its foundations
Fire rages through France’s iconic Notre Dame cathedral, on Monday evening
This is the moment the flaming spire of the Notre Dame cathedral fell down as a blaze roared through the historic building Monday.
Notre Dame Cathedral suffered what officials described as ‘collossal damage’ in Monday’s fire out break. The 850-year-old cathedral was saved from total destruction but the blaze wrecked the iconic spire, roof and glass windows.
Spire of the historic church in Paris.l has collapsed as fire ravaged the historic building with flames erupting through the roof on Monday evening.
The Shocking footage posted on Twitter shows the 300-foot-high spire topple over amid the conflagration at the 850-year-old monument.
Firefighters were still fighting to keep the fire under control Monday evening local time.
Aerial drone pictures show the devastation caused by the Notre Dame inferno
The cause of the fire was not clear, but it was possibly linked to a multimillion-dollar renovation project taking place at the historic structure.
According to French newspaper Le Monde, the fire broke out in the attic of the monument before spreading across the roof.
Officials in Paris said the fire could be linked to restoration works as the peak of the church is currently undergoing a $6.8 million [6 million-euro] renovation project.
Late Monday night, a fire service spokesman said the two towers and the main structure of the cathedral have been saved from complete destruction as blaze begins to weaken.
He added that three or four hours are needed to contain the rampaging flames while France’s Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said “the fire had decreased in intensity”
Emmanuel Gregoire, the deputy mayor of Paris, said the cathedral had suffered “colossal damages” and that emergency workers were trying to salvage the art and other priceless pieces stored inside.
Scaffolding that had been set up around the building has been decimated along with large parts of the Cathedral itself, including the spire, which dates back to the mid-19th Century.
A “stray flame” linked to the $6.8million renovation work is thought to have sparked the inferno in the loft at around 5.30pm local time.
“It appears that it all began as a relatively small fire linked to a stray flame in the roof,” said an emergency services source.
“The fire was so high up that it was difficult to get to, meaning it soon spread across the roof, causing a terrible blaze.”
Police said no deaths have been reported although a firefighter has been “seriously injured” while battling the blaze, according to local reports.
Firefighters battle the savage inferno in Paris onMonday night
As the blaze raged, Paris authorities admitted that getting firefighters to the top of the building “was almost impossible.”
“It’s much too high up, and the only access is stone and spiral staircases – getting fire fighting crews up there is impossible,” said an emergency services source.
“This means that the fire has been able to spread across the roof, and it now threatening the two main Gothic towers.”
The source added: “We are not aware of any casualties, or of anyone being trapped, so there will be no emergency rescue plans being put into action.”
An emergency services source said that a water drop via plane or helicopter “was impossible” because the weight of the water dropped at low altitude would weaken the building and cause “extreme damage.”
“Everything is collapsing,” a police officer near the burning edifice said as the entire roof of the cathedral continued to burn on Monday night.
Despite the seeming totatal devastation, officials in Paris said the blaze stopped short of totally gutting the 850-year-old medieval church
Wladimir Garcin-Berson@vladogbOn dirait que le toit brûle autour de la flèche de Notre-Dame. Difficile à confirmer d’ici. #NotreDame #feunotredame
Wladimir Garcin-Berson@vladogbLa flèche de Notre-Dame vient de s’effondrer sous les exclamations horrifiées des gens #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/kfLNt7rhsZ
Local Parisiens sent out tweets about the fire on Monday, mourning the destruction the world reknowned landmark
Firefighters now believe they have saved the main structure of the church from total destruction
The cathedral’s landmark spire, built in the 19th century, was been destroyed by the inferno
The fire spread quickly and the entire wooden interior of the church was burning, an official said
Firefighters cleared the area around the cathedral, which marks the very centre of Paris, while nearby buildings around were evacuated.
“An evacuation is in progress,” said a police officer at the scene. “People are being advised to clear the area.”
Panicked locals have expressed their concern for the medieval cathedral on Twitter.
One witness wrote: “It’s getting worse. But the fire brigade has turned up. Hard to see how the tackle this. The plume of smoke is already 100s of feet long.”
Another resident said: “We had an event nearby tonight but no one could concentrate. I had to come here to see,” she said. “Everyone s do calm and respectful.”
The entire frame of the historic cathedral’s roof [before photo], reportedly was damaged in the blaze
A view from inside the Notre Dame Cathedral shows flames in the roof as firefighters douse it from below with hoses
The stone-built roof of the structure partially caved in after the huge blaze [photo]
Locals broke out in a-singing prayer in multiple places nearby.
One pulled up the words of a song dedicated to the Notre Dame, as tears rolled down his face.
“My heart bleeds,” said Bertrand, a finance executive pulling up the words on his phone.
“I was at home when I heard the news. Me I’m here praying with strangers.”
There was a cheer as more fire engines arrived. Blue lights flashed from the side streets and river boats.
The fire brigade can be seen in videos dousing the savage blaze with water.
French leader Emmanuel Macron, who postponed a televised speech to the nation because of the massive fire, has attended the scene.
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