A fire has broken out at Paris’s famous Notre Dame cathedral.
The blaze erupted around 6:30 p.m. Monday local time and appears to be consuming the landmark structure’s roof.
André Finot, a spokesman for the cathedral, told the New York Times in a telephone interview that the spire of the cathedral had caught fire. Finot stated that the cause of the fire is not yet clear.
Local TV network BFM-TV is reporting that the fire was “possibly linked” to the renovation of the building and began in the rafters.
A large security perimeter has been set up by firefighters. The first units to arrive on the scene have included four large ladders and two aerial lift arms.
Pedestrians are flooding the streets to watch the blaze, many in tears, one Paris resident tells PEOPLE. Twitter users are documenting the scene.
“It feels like the end of the world,” one user wrote. “It’s getting worse. But the fire brigade has turned up. Hard to see how tackle this. The plume of smoke is already 100s of feet long.”
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo sent out a message to residents of the city via Twitter: “A terrible fire is underway at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The @PompiersParis trying to control the flames. We are mobilized on site in close connection with the @dioceseParis. I invite each and every one to respect the perimeter of security.”
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
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
President Donald Trump also weighed in, suggesting how best to battle the blaze in a tweet. “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!”
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
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
This is a developing story.
