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As it happenedended

Notre Dame fire: Parisians hold huge vigil at cathedral as monuments around the world light up in solidarity

One World Center, Duomo chapel and Venice theatre among landmarks illuminated with French colours

Notre Dame fire: What we know so far

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Parisians gathered in front of Notre Dame on Tuesday night, at a vigil where music was played and attendees prayed for the future of the cathedral.

The fire which devastated the cathedral is thought to have been caused by an accident rather than arson, the Paris public prosecutor said.

Investigators are working to establish what led the centuries-old architectural masterpiece to be consumed by flames on Monday evening.

Fifty investigators are working on the probe and will interview workers from five companies, hired to renovate Notre Dame’s roof.

Remy Heitz, the Paris prosecutor, said the inquiry into the Notre Dame fire would be “long and complex”.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, committed to rebuild the church within five years, in a short public address on Tuesday.

He called for unity and said Notre Dame would be restored to be “even more beautiful”.

“We can do it and once again, we will mobilise,” he said.

Wealthy French benefactors have pledged hundreds of millions of euros to rebuild the famous building after its roof and spire were ravaged by the blaze.

On Tuesday night, monuments around the world were lit up in the colours of the French flag, in a show of solidarity with Paris.

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One World Trade Centre, the dome of the Chapel of the Holy Shroud inside the Duomo in Turin and the La Fenice theatre in Venice, were among the monuments taking part in the global gesture.

If you would like to see how the Notre Dame fire unfolded, please see what was our live coverage below:

Pope Francis has phoned Emmanuel Macron to express his solidarity, after the Notre Dame fire.

"During the exchange the Holy Father expressed his solidarity with the French people after the blaze that ravaged the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris," a Vatican spokesperson said.

Gianfranco Ravasi, the Vatican culture minister, has suggested experts from the Vatican Museum could offer their services during the cathedral's restoration.

Pope Francis also sent an official message of condolence to Michel Aupetit, the Archbishop of Paris, in which he called Notre Dame the "architectural gem of a collective memory."

Zamira Rahim16 April 2019 21:18

Around the world landmarks are being illuminated with the colours of the French flag, to show solidarity with Paris.

This is the facade of the Fenice theatre in Venice, Italy.

Zamira Rahim16 April 2019 21:20

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