Massive Fire Breaks Out at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

• A major fire broke out at the medieval Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday afternoon, leading firefighters to clear the area around one of the city’s most visited landmarks.
• It was not immediately clear what had caused the fire. France 2 television reported that police were treating the incident as an accident.
• Notre-Dame was in the midst of renovations, with some sections under scaffolding, while bronze statues were removed last week for works.

First photos/videos emerge on social media #NotreDame

MORE: https://t.co/OmXn0Zm5j4pic.twitter.com/QZdG5XOUaD

— RT (@RT_com) April 15, 2019

Smoke billowed from the top of the cathedral as flames ripped through its roof and bell towers.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the fire, while local media reported that police in the city were treating it as an accident.

The cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century and is famous for featuring in Victor Hugo’s classic novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” attracts millions of tourists every year.

#NOTRE_DAME Black smoke now pic.twitter.com/hCun8eZUeU https://t.co/aF1sdecqM6

— Daniel Brobecker (@DanielBrobecker) April 15, 2019

A major operation was under way, the fire department said, while a city hall spokesman said on Twitter that the area was being cleared.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, addressed the fire in a tweet early Monday afternoon.

#NotreDame is on fire in a serious way.

Live broadcast via periscope:( pic.twitter.com/7NgZ2zcB8A

— Michael Becker (@MkDBecker) April 15, 2019

So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2019

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