The roof of the famous structure went up in flames around 6:30 pm local time on Monday.
By
Mackenzie Schmidt
and
Peter Mikelbank
April 15, 2019 06:33 PM
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#BREAKING Notre-Dame's main structure is "saved and preserved" after fire, says Paris fire official pic.twitter.com/IC8fT7s593
— AFP news agency (@AFP) April 15, 2019
The blaze erupted around 6:30 p.m. Monday local time and appears to have completely consumed the landmark’s roof. The building’s towering spire has fallen and portions of the roof have collapsed, according to France 24.
A large security perimeter has been set up by firefighters. The first units to arrive on the scene included four large ladders and two aerial lift arms.
Pedestrians flooded the streets to watch the blaze, many in tears, one Paris resident tells PEOPLE. On Monday evening, a crowd gathered to sing Ave Maria near the cathedral.
#BREAKING Notre-Dame's main structure is "saved and preserved" after fire, says Paris fire official pic.twitter.com/IC8fT7s593
— AFP news agency (@AFP) April 15, 2019
André Finot, a spokesman for the cathedral, told the
IAN LANGSDON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Local TV network BFM-TV is reporting that the fire was “possibly linked” to the renovation of the building and began in the rafters, but there were no workers scheduled to be on the rooftop scaffolding at the hour the fire broke out.
The moment #NotreDame’s spire fell pic.twitter.com/XUcr6Iob0b
— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019
A spokesperson for the cathedral told the BBC that the whole structure is “burning,” adding, “There will be nothing left.”
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty
Twitter users are also documenting the horrific scene.
“It feels like the end of the world,” one user wrote. “It’s getting worse. But the fire brigade has turned up. Hard to see how [to] tackle this. The plume of smoke is already 100s of feet long.”
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo sent out a message to residents of the city via Twitter: “A terrible fire is underway at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The @PompiersParis [are] trying to control the flames. We are mobilized on site in close connection with the @dioceseParis. I invite each and every one to respect the perimeter of security.”
Un terrible incendie est en cours à la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Les @PompiersParis sont en train de tenter de maîtriser les flammes. Nous sommes mobilisés sur place en lien étroit avec le @dioceseParis. J'invite chacune et chacun à respecter le périmètre de sécurité. pic.twitter.com/9X0tGtlgba
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) April 15, 2019
“Our Lady of Paris in flames. Emotion of a whole nation. Thoughts for all Catholics and for all French. Like all our countrymen, I’m sad tonight to see this part of us burn,” French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted. He has reportedly canceled a speech tonight and is on his way to the scene.
Notre-Dame de Paris en proie aux flammes. Émotion de toute une nation. Pensée pour tous les catholiques et pour tous les Français. Comme tous nos compatriotes, je suis triste ce soir de voir brûler cette part de nous.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 15, 2019
President Donald Trump also weighed in, suggesting how best to battle the blaze in a tweet. “So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!” he wrote.
So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2019
Taken by my friend. #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/hHYSYFN4Z1
— Ashley (@AshhHuntington) April 15, 2019
The Catholic cathedral is located on an island in the center of the capital called the Île de la Cité, surrounded by the River Seine. The building was completed around 1260, but has been modified over the centuries.
The French Gothic building is remarkable for its stained-glass rose window, flying buttresses and large spire. The latter has now collapsed after being consumed by flames. That spire replaced the original, which was damaged by wind and removed in the 18th century. The current one was made of oak covered with lead and weighed 750 tons.
Notre Dame was the subject of Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel