Notre-Dame cathedral: Firefighters tackle blaze in Paris

2019-04-16 00:43:44

A major fire has engulfed the medieval Cathedral of Notre-Dame in 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 say. Firefighters are still working to contain the blaze as teams are trying to salvage the artwork stored inside. President Emmanuel Macron called it a "terrible tragedy". The cause of the fire is not yet clear. But officials say it could be linked to the renovation work that began after cracks appeared in the stone, sparking fears the structure could become unstable. The Paris prosecutor's office said it has opened an inquiry into "accidental destruction by fire". Visiting the scene, Mr Macron said the "worst had been avoided" and that an international fundraising scheme to rebuild the cathedral would be launched. AFP.