In Pictures

Massive blaze damages Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

The fire burned through the night as about 400 firefighters battled to bring it under control.

Flames and smoke billow around the gargoyles decorating the roof and sides of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019. - A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedra — A huge fire swept through the famed Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. [Thomas Samson/AFP]

Authorities are looking into the cause of a massive blaze that destroyed much of the timber roof and toppled the spire of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Damage to the interior of the building is being assessed.

It took about 400 firefighters many hours working through the night to bring the fire under control, firing jets of water at the 855-year-old structure as solemn crowds watched quietly from behind police cordons.

French media reported that the fire might have been linked to renovation work. The Paris prosecutor’s office said that it was investigating a count of “involuntary destruction by fire”.

The cathedral was in the middle of a $6.8m renovation, with some sections under scaffolding, while bronze statues were removed last week for works.

A church spokesman said the entire wooden interior of the 12th-century landmark was burning and likely to be destroyed.

Paris fire chief Jean-Claude Gallet said that the structure of the cathedral had been “saved and preserved overall” and its bell towers, at one point thought to be at risk, were safe.

The cathedral, which is famous for featuring in Victor Hugo’s classic novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, attracts millions of tourists every year.

It was here that Christian crusaders prayed before going to fight in the Holy Land, where revolutionaries defiled representations of French kings and Napoleon crowned himself emperor in 1804.

People watch from a bridge as smoke billows from Notre Dame Cathedral during a fire in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier - — Parisians and visitors watch from a bridge as smoke billows from Notre Dame Cathedral which sits on an island, the Ile de la Cite. [Benoit Tessier/Reuters]

Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier - — The flames and smoke that plumed from the spire and roof of the Gothic cathedral could be seen for miles. [Benoit Tessier/Reuters]

Sparks fill the air as Paris Fire brigade members spray water to extinguish flames as the Notre Dame Cathedral burns in Paris, France, April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer — About 400 firefighters battled the fire through the night that destroyed much of the timber roof of the cathedral. [Philippe Wojazer/Reuters]

People pray and sing religious songs next to Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out, in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau — Crowds around Paris prayed, sang or watched in silence as the iconic cathedral burned. [Charles Platiau/Reuters]

Paris Fire brigade members are seen at an entrance that looks into the Notre Dame Cathedral as a fire continues to burn in Paris, France, April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer — A church spokesman said the entire wooden interior of the 12th-century landmark burned. The fire chief said the structure of the cathedral had been "saved and preserved overall". [Philippe Wojazer/Reuters]

Smoke rises around the altar in front of the cross inside the Notre Dame Cathedral as a fire continues to burn in Paris, France, April 16, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/Pool — The cathedral's most precious relics had been saved, said rector Monsignor Patrick Chauvet. Experts are assessing the extent of the damage in the cathedral's blackened shell. [Philippe Wojazer/Reuters]