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As it happenedended

Notre Dame fire: Cathedral blaze 'being treated as an accident' as firefighters continue to fight flames – as it happened

Andrew Griffin,Jon Stone
Monday 15 April 2019 23:43 BST
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Devastating moment Notre Dame cathedral spire topples over into bed of flames during huge fire

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The Notre-Dame in Paris has been devastated after a fire ripped through its roof and burnt large parts of the cathedral.

The medieval roof of the cathedral was almost entirely destroyed but photographs from inside show that much of the structure remained intact, after an hours-long firefighting mission.

One firefighter was reported to have been seriously injured in the blaze. The sacred objects and artwork stored in the cathedral were secured.

Emmanuel Macron has committed to rebuild the cathedral, and has promised an international fundraising effort to restore it to its previous state.

While the cause of the fire is still unclear, authorities said they were believed it to have been started by accident.

Follow our latest live blog here or recap our previous coverage of the fire below

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The deputy mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Gregoire, said the cathedral had suffered "colossal damages", and the emergency services were trying to salvage the art and other priceless pieces stored in the cathedral.

Andrew Griffin15 April 2019 19:48

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker described the fire as a "horror".

In a press release written in French, Mr Juncker said: "I am minute by minute the fire of which Notre-Dame de Paris is the prey.

"Our Lady of Paris belongs to the whole of mankind. What a sad spectacle. What a horror.

"I share the emotion of the French nation which is also ours."

Andrew Griffin15 April 2019 19:49

Andrew Griffin15 April 2019 19:52

British MP Yvette Cooper is in Paris, and says she cannot bear to watch any more of the destruction.

Andrew Griffin15 April 2019 19:54

Andrew Griffin15 April 2019 19:56

Moving pictures here from the Paris streets around Notre Dame, as people watch on as the blaze continues to destroy the cathedral.

Andrew Griffin15 April 2019 20:03

The fire has now spread to one of the famous rectangular towers on the front of the cathedral.

Andrew Griffin15 April 2019 20:05

The smoke can be seen all across Paris's skyline, from miles around.

Andrew Griffin15 April 2019 20:11

President Emmanuel Macron along with prime minister Edouard Philippe and minister of culture Franck Riester are all near the scene of the fire. Macron is said to be meeting with Paris police.

Andrew Griffin15 April 2019 20:15

Night is falling in Paris but the bright orange blaze of the fire is still burning brightly, as this picture taken from Montparnasse Tower shows.

Andrew Griffin15 April 2019 20:17

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