While there are fears for the many priceless artworks and artefacts housed inside the cathedral, the rector of Notre-Dame, Patrick Jacquin, has told local press that the Crown of Thorns and the Tunic of St Louis have both been recovered.
AFPCopyright: AFP
AFPCopyright: AFP
'Structure saved' says Interior Ministry
French Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has announced that the fire has "decreased in intensity" and "the structure of the building is saved, including the north tower."
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Drone image shows damage from above
Radio France journalist Alexandre Fremont has tweeted an image captured by a drone flown above the cathedral, reportedly showing significant damage.
Reuters news agency is quoting an official with the French firefighting team as saying: "We can now say that the structure of Notre-Dame has been saved from total destruction".
AFP is also reporting that the main structure has been "saved and preserved", citing an official.
'Finland shares sadness'
Finland's President Sauli Niinistö tweets: "Finland shares the sadness of this terrible fire at Notre-Dame cathedral. Our thoughts are with France and Parisians tonight."
Firefighters at the scene have told Reuters news agency that all efforts are now being directed at saving artwork in the cathedral and preventing the collapse of its northern tower.
US-based firefighter Gregg Favre has put out this tweet thread discussing the adversity that fire crews in Paris are likely to be facing.
He explains why firefighters would need to enter the historical building in order to properly combat the fire, but may be unable to do so due to the risk of falling roofing timber.
He adds that the church, which is designed to be "open and airy" for Sunday worship has no shortage of oxygen which would fuel the fire.
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Priceless treasures saved from blaze
While there are fears for the many priceless artworks and artefacts housed inside the cathedral, the rector of Notre-Dame, Patrick Jacquin, has told local press that the Crown of Thorns and the Tunic of St Louis have both been recovered.
'Structure saved' says Interior Ministry
French Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has announced that the fire has "decreased in intensity" and "the structure of the building is saved, including the north tower."
Drone image shows damage from above
Radio France journalist Alexandre Fremont has tweeted an image captured by a drone flown above the cathedral, reportedly showing significant damage.
Firefighter 'seriously injured'
A French firefighting official has told Reuters that one fireman has been seriously injured tackling the blaze.
Parisians sing
Footage posted on social media shows crowds of people singing as they witness Notre-Dame burning.
Breaking'Structure saved'
Reuters news agency is quoting an official with the French firefighting team as saying: "We can now say that the structure of Notre-Dame has been saved from total destruction".
AFP is also reporting that the main structure has been "saved and preserved", citing an official.
'Finland shares sadness'
Finland's President Sauli Niinistö tweets: "Finland shares the sadness of this terrible fire at Notre-Dame cathedral. Our thoughts are with France and Parisians tonight."
Paris churches ring bells 'in solidarity'
Several churches around the French capital are ringing their bells in response to the blaze at Notre-Dame.
'Not sure' if blaze can be contained - firefighters
French fire chief Jean-Claude Gallet has told reporters he is not sure if the authorities will be able to stop the fire from spreading.
"If it collapses, you can imagine how important the damage will be," he added.
'An enduring embodiment of our country burns'
Henri Astier of BBC World Online writes about Notre-Dame cathedral and why no other site represents France quite like it.
Tour de France bike race saddened by scene in Paris
Firefighters 'trying to save artwork'
Firefighters at the scene have told Reuters news agency that all efforts are now being directed at saving artwork in the cathedral and preventing the collapse of its northern tower.
'Millions met Jesus there' - Welby
Canadian PM tweets
Why has the fire not been put out yet?
US-based firefighter Gregg Favre has put out this tweet thread discussing the adversity that fire crews in Paris are likely to be facing.
He explains why firefighters would need to enter the historical building in order to properly combat the fire, but may be unable to do so due to the risk of falling roofing timber.
He adds that the church, which is designed to be "open and airy" for Sunday worship has no shortage of oxygen which would fuel the fire.
London's St Paul's Cathedral says its 'thoughts and prayers' are with Notre-Dame
'Not certain' Notre-Dame can be saved
French deputy interior minister Laurent Nunez has told reporters it is 'not certain' that the cathedral can be saved, according to news agency AFP.
'Shock and sadness'
The Vatican has said news of the fire has caused "shock and sadness," adding that it was praying for the French fire services.
Notre-Dame - before and after
Here are pictures of the famous Parisian church before and during the blaze.
The iconic 12th Century building is famed for its stained glass, flying buttresses and carved gargoyles.
Can the fire be put out?
French fire chiefs have told news agency AFP they are not sure if the fire can be stopped.