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Notre Dame fire: Morning pictures show damage of devastating blaze as Macron 'vows to rebuild'

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris following a fire which destroyed much of the building on Monday evening.
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris following a fire which destroyed much of the building on Monday evening.

Pictures showing Notre Dame cathedral this morning have revealed the scale of destruction caused by the devastating blaze.

The catastrophic fire in Paris has left a nation mourning the destruction of its 850-year-old cultural and historic “epicentre” and sent shockwaves around the world.

Hundreds of firefighters tackled the blaze through the night, battling to stop it wreaking complete destruction of the treasured facade after flames torched the roof, sending its spire crashing to the ground before crowds of horrified Parisians.

Fire damage was clearly visible in the cathedral's iconic building work.
Fire damage was clearly visible in the cathedral's iconic building work.
Workers survey the charred structure of the cathedral on Tuesday morning. (PA)
Workers survey the charred structure of the cathedral on Tuesday morning. (PA)
Media crews by the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris following a fire which destroyed much of the building on Monday evening.
Media crews by the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris following a fire which destroyed much of the building on Monday evening.

Visiting the scene on Monday night, French president Emmanuel Macron said a national subscription would be launched to rebuild the national monument.

It was reported that billionaire French fashion mogul Francois-Henri Pinault had pledged 100 million euros (£86 million) towards the effort.

“Notre Dame is our history, our imagination, where we’ve lived all our great moments, and is the epicentre of our lives,” Mr Macron said.

One powerful image released this morning showed the imposing crucifix above the altar still intact.

Smoke rises around the alter 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
Smoke rises around the alter 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
Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said. - A major fire broke out at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky, the fire service said. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year, where renovations are currently underway. (Photo by FRANCOIS GUILLOT / AFP)        (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)
The fire takes hold of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. It is believed the blaze may be linked to ongoing renovation work. By 8pm local time, the historic spire had collapsed. (AFP)
Notre Dame fire: How the blaze spread.
Notre Dame fire: How the blaze spread.

‘Colossal damage’

The first harrowing images from within the fire-ravaged cathedral began to emerge as firefighters brought the blaze under control.

A smouldering pile of what appeared to be the charred remains of the roof and spire lay smoking in front of the altar, while a cross that had escaped destruction glowed from within the gloom.

Gilded candlesticks, artworks and furnishings were among the treasures seen being rushed from the cathedral by a “human chain” before being bundled into trucks by police officers.

Some of the cathedral’s most precious objects, including a relic purported to be the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ on the cross, were whisked away to a secure facility.

Both the bell towers were saved and they were also hopes the stain-glassed windows had survived the fire.

But as the blaze ravaged the historic cathedral in the space of an hour, the historic spire and tower were destroyed.

Emergency services were trying to salvage the art and other priceless pieces stored inside. One fireman has been seriously injured fighting the flames.

A cathedral spokesman said the entire wooden interior was likely to be destroyed.

What caused it?

Officials said the fire may be linked to renovation work at one of the world's most famous tourist attractions.

The Paris prosecutors’ office said police will carry out an investigation into “involuntary destruction caused by fire”, indicating authorities are treating the blaze as a tragic accident for now.

Arson, including possible terror-related motives, was earlier ruled out.

TOPSHOT - Smokes ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019 afternoon, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said. (Photo by FRANCOIS GUILLOT / AFP)        (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)
Smoke ascends across the Paris skyline as flames rise during a fire at the landmark cathedral in the centre of the city. (AFP)
Smoke billows from Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out, in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau
Officials fear the cathedral could be completely ruined by the fire. (Reuters)
Smoke billows from Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out, in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau
Hundreds of people line bridges across the Seine as the flames ravage the landmark. REUTERS/Charles Platiau
People watch from a tour boat on the River Seine as smoke billows and fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
People watch from a tour boat on the River Seine as smoke billows and fire engulfs the spire of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

At present there are no reported casualties.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Paris as firefighters attempted to tackle the flames.

Paris prosecutors opened an investigation into the blaze as the fire was still burning out of control, and the authorities said no-one had been hurt.

Smoke billows from Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out, in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau
Smoke can be seen from across the Paris skyline. REUTERS/Charles Platiau
Smoke billows from Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out, in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Charles Platiau
Much of the roof and the cathedral's spire are consumed by fire. (Reuters)

France in mourning

Franck Riester, the French culture minister, tweeted that “Major parts of the treasure #NotreDame are now safe at the Paris City Hall”.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo added: “The Crown of thorns, the tunic of Saint Louis and several other major works are now in a safe place.”

A comment from the Louvre Museum’s Twitter account said: “The fire which has struck Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is a tragedy for World Heritage.

“The Louvre expresses its deepest admiration and solidarity with those who are currently battling the flames.”

Smoke billows near scaffolding as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Smoke billows near scaffolding as fire engulfs the spire of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France April 15, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Seen from across the Seine River, smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said. (Photo by FRANCOIS GUILLOT / AFP)        (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)
This photo, taken from across the Seine capture the fire ripping through the spire of Notre-Dame. (AFP)

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Reaction from around the world

Concerns over the scale of the damage to Notre Dame came as expressions of grief were sent to Paris from around the world.

Theresa May said: “My thoughts are with the people of France tonight and with the emergency services who are fighting the terrible blaze at Notre Dame cathedral.”

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby tweeted: “Tonight we pray for the firefighters tackling the tragic #NotreDame fire – and for everyone in France and beyond who watches and weeps for this beautiful, sacred place where millions have met with Jesus Christ. Nous sommes avec vous.”

There were also messages of support from US president Donald Trump, former leaders Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and a stream of world leaders.

A fire has broken out at Notre-Dame Cathedral, in Paris. (NBC)
The early stages of a fire that broke out of Notre-Dame, in Paris. (NBC)

Mr Trump suggested "perhaps flying water tankers" could be used to extinguish the fire.

European Parliament Brexit official Guy Verhofstadt has said he is "so sad" to see "a masterpiece of European gothic is at risk of being destroyed".

He tweeted: "So sad to see the images of the burning #NotreDameDeParis.

"I hope that the Paris fire brigade will get the fire under control as soon as possible.

"My thoughts are with the people of France as a masterpiece of European gothic is at risk of being destroyed."

Last year, the Catholic Church in France launched an urgent appeal for funds to save the cathedral, which was starting to crumble.

The building, one of the most recognisable churches in the world, is 850 years old and is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.

TV historian Dan Snow cited other damaging fires on monuments as evidence that Notre Dame “will rise again”.

He tweeted: “It’s overwhelming but remember that York Minster and Hampton Court burned in the 80s, Windsor Castle in the 90s and Cutty Sark in the 00s. Dresden’s Frauenkirche, the Catherine Palace…

“What we build, we can rebuild. Their essence endures.

“#NotreDame will rise again.”

The cathedral receives around 12 million visitors each year, making it the most visited monument in Paris.

It took around 200 years to build and was started under the reign of King Louis VII in 1160.