The steeple of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral collapses as the cathedral is engulfed in flames in central Paris on April 15, 2019. – A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. A spokesman for the cathedral told AFP that the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze. (Photo by Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT / AFP) (Photo credit should read GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP/Getty Images)
Firefighters in Paris, France are struggling to control a fire blazing from the Notre Dame Cathedral, which has caused the spire to collapse Monday evening.
According to CNBC, the cause of the fire is not yet known, and Paris Mayor Anne Hildago is urging people to stay away from the cathedral’s area.
First photos/videos emerge on social media #NotreDame
“The Paris firefighters are currently trying to stop the flames,” Hidalgo said. “I ask everyone to respect the security boundaries.”
People on social media have been sharing their thoughts about the historic cathedral, and have expressed their condolences for the landmark.
Notre-Dame de Paris en proie aux flammes. Émotion de toute une nation. Pensée pour tous les catholiques et pour tous les Français. Comme tous nos compatriotes, je suis triste ce soir de voir brûler cette part de nous.
My heart is breaking over the loss at Notre Dame & what it means to people all over the world who, like me, explored its beauty on visits with friends & family.
Notre Dame is on fire. "Our Lady" has stood, for 856 years, as one of the last tangible icons that prove that humans can, rarely and under unusual curcumstances, create profound and lasting beauty – a testament of hope for humanity.
