Paris – A major fire has engulfed the medieval Catholic cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris) – one of France’s most famous landmarks.
The 850-year-old Gothic building’s spire and roof have collapsed but the main structure, including the two bell towers, has been saved, officials said as BBC reported.
The cause of the fire, however, is not yet clear; but the President Emmanuel Macron called it a “terrible tragedy”.
Some 500 Firefighters are reported focused on working to contain the blaze as teams try to salvage the artwork stored inside.
The fire chief Jean-Claude Gallet said the main structure had been “saved and preserved” from total destruction.
Meanwhile, officials said it could be linked to the renovation work that began after cracks appeared in the stone, sparking fears the structure could become unstable, according to the UK’s media.
Local authorities said they have launched an inquiry into “accidental destruction by fire”.
A firefighter was seriously injured while tackling the blaze.
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