Fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

A fire at Paris Notre Dame cathedral was reportedly started by accident, and is related to ongoing work, according to France 2 News which cites police. The Paris bureau chief for Reuters said the news is terrible and a hideous blow to the symbolic heart of the city.

MORE: Spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has collapsed https://t.co/mgO4CkDAwb pic.twitter.com/TPTs30FjZT

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) April 15, 2019

The entire structure is involved. The spire has collapsed.

This is the worst day for France since June 14, 1940.

Patrick Galey of Agence-France Presse shot photos and video from Paris, and they're below.

Police just evacuated the le but that spire is lost #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/rd0g8SuSBo

— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019

#NotreDame right now. I feel sick pic.twitter.com/UFqsSrtwGu

— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019

#NotreDame now. Entire spire is on fire pic.twitter.com/3410wSwhf3

— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019

The smoke from #NotreDame is blocking out the sun pic.twitter.com/v3ibVL41T7

— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019

There are people crying. People on rooftops. I can hear the burning from here #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/Pd80q6Etcg

— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019

#NotreDame is on fire pic.twitter.com/8n6DaEEyGv

— James McAuley (@jameskmcauley) April 15, 2019

PARIS: Here's a closer view of the #NotreDame fire pic.twitter.com/JkQk2I9pHF

— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) April 15, 2019

Reuters:

A fire broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday afternoon, a spokesman from the fire department said.

Smoke could be seen billowing out from the top of the medieval cathedral, as flames lept out besides its two bell towers, a Reuters witness said.