The Iconic Notre Dame cathedral is reportedly up in flames, as Paris firefighters battle to put out the fire that has engulfed the Paris cathedral a few days before the Easter celebration.
Although no official information has been given as to what might have caused the fire, at least some firetrucks were seen trying to tackle the thick flames emanating from the Paris cathedral.
The Medieval cathedral is one of the main attractions of the French capital, seeing 12 million tourists a year.
The fire was the second to affect historic churches in Paris, following the one in March that engulfed the St. Sulpice church, built in the 19th Century .
The Notre-Dame was built between the 13th and 15th Century, and renovation works was ongoing on the cathedral’s roof that was partially covered in scaffolding, before the fire outbreak.
Updates posted online said the spire of the church has collapsed in the fire.
The Governor of Paris Anne Hidalgo who reported the fire a few hours ago on twitter said:
“A terrible fire is underway at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. They @PompiersParis’re trying to control the flames. We are mobilized on site in close connection with the @dioceseParis. I invite each and everyone to respect the perimeter of security“.
French President Emmanuel Macron also tweeted about the Notre Dame fire, saying that he was “sad tonight to see this part of us burn.”
“Notre Dame of Paris in flames. Emotion for 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,” he said.
United State First lady Melania Trump took to Twitter to offer her prayers for “everyone’s safety” as a fire continues to rage at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
“My heart breaks for the people of Paris after seeing the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral,” she said
US Vice President Mike Pence just tweeted about the ongoing Notre Dame fire.
“Notre Dame is an iconic symbol of faith to people all over the world – and it is heartbreaking to see a house of God in flames,” he tweeted. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the firefighters on the scene and all the people of Paris.”
…more to come…