LIVE Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on fire; roof, spire collapse: ‘Everything is burning’

April 15--Fire tore through Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris Monday, destroying the building's roof and central spire and incinerating hundreds of years of history in a matter of minutes.

"Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame," Notre Dame spokesperson Andre Finot told French Media.

First responders are working to salvage art and other priceless pieces stored in the cathedral, Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregorie told BFMTV. Gregorie said the cathedral suffered "colossal damages" from the fire.

Authorities advised people to steer clear of the area to allow emergency vehicles access.

The cause of the fire was not clear, but it was possibly linked to renovation work, officials said, as reported by BBC.

A €6 million ($6.8 million) construction project was being done on the church's peak, France 24 reported.

Videos circulating social media showed the cathedral engulfed in flames.

The cathedral, which is located on a small island in the middle of the River Seine, was built over the course of nearly 200 years, according to the monument's official site. Construction began in 1163 during King Louis VII's reign, and was not completed until 1345.

Notre Dame has been home to monumental events, including Henry VI's crowning in 1431. At once in "a stage of total disrepair" and on the brink of being demolished, Napoleon saved the building and crowned himself Emperor inside the cathedral in 1804.

The building was once again threatened during WWII when it was feared German soldiers may destroy stained glass that was newly installed in the restored building. The glass was removed and reinstalled after the war had ended.

Dubbed "our lady," Notre Dame is still used for Sunday Mass by the Roman Catholic Church and is the seat of the Archbishop of Paris.

Anne Hidalgo, Paris' mayor, shared the news of the "terrible fire" and shared officials were trying to control the flames.

Emmanuel Macron cancelled a planned speech to the country to go to the burning cathedral an Elysee Palace official told BBC. Macron shared his sympathies on social media for Catholics and the people of France.

President Trump said the fire at the cathedral was "horrible to watch" and suggested "flying water tankers could be used" to extinguish the fire. "Must act quickly!" Trump tweeted.

With News Wire Services

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