Firefighters are tackling a blaze at the famous Paris cathedral
Pari’s iconic cathedral Notre Dame is on fire. The cause is not currently known, however officials have said it could be linked to renovation works.
Un terrible incendie est en cours à la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Les @PompiersParis sont en train de tenter de maîtriser les flammes. Nous sommes mobilisés sur place en lien étroit avec le @dioceseParis. J'invite chacune et chacun à respecter le périmètre de sécurité. pic.twitter.com/9X0tGtlgba
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) April 15, 2019
The Gothic building, 850 years old, is in urgent need of repair and the Catholic Church launched an appeal for funds last year.
Officials have established a cordon around the cathedral. Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo said the fire was “terrible.”
Horrible #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/BndHQRO1b5
— Solveig Godeluck (@Solwii) April 15, 2019
The fire started on Monday afternoon and emergency responders have launched a major operation to combat it.
https://twitter.com/wilson_conn/status/1117837463882539008
French newspaper Le Monde reports the fire started in the attic of the famous church, before spreading across its roof.
Notre Dame’s spire is undergoing a €6 million renovation. It is one of the most-visited buildings in the world and annually 12 million people visit it.
The fire was first reported at 5.50pm British Summer Time.
