A big fire hit Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, an important symbol of the city. The "arrow", the cathedral's tallest tower, collapsed, but the building's structure was saved, firefighters said.
A firefighter was seriously injured during the fire fighting, according to Reuters.
The fire was first reported by users on social networks.
Police cordoned off the area and removed the tourists inside the cathedral. Access to Île de la Cité, where Notre Dame is located, has been completely closed.
In a statement in front of the cathedral, French President Emmanuel Macron said Notre-Dame will be rebuilt. He also praised the extreme courage and professionalism of the firefighters.
"We will rebuild this cathedral, all together. A national campaign will be launched, and beyond our borders. We will make a call to the greatest talent, who will be many and will come to rebuild our Notre-Dame." - Emmanuel Macron
“Notre-Dame de Paris is our history, our literature, our imagination. The place where we live our great moments, our epidemics, our wars, our liberation, ”added Macron, who also said that his thoughts are with Catholics and Parisians.
"The next few hours will be difficult ... but the worst has been avoided," he said, noting that there were no casualties.
“I want to give a word of hope to all of us. That hope is the pride we must have. Pride for everyone who avoided the worst: our firefighters, ”said the president.
Notre Dame is not yet fully built.
The fire of notre dame
A big fire hit Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, an important symbol of the city. The "arrow", the cathedral's tallest tower, collapsed, but the building's structure was saved, firefighters said.
A firefighter was seriously injured during the fire fighting, according to Reuters.
The fire was first reported by users on social networks.
Police cordoned off the area and removed the tourists inside the cathedral. Access to Île de la Cité, where Notre Dame is located, has been completely closed.
In a statement in front of the cathedral, French President Emmanuel Macron said Notre-Dame will be rebuilt. He also praised the extreme courage and professionalism of the firefighters.
"We will rebuild this cathedral, all together. A national campaign will be launched, and beyond our borders. We will make a call to the greatest talent, who will be many and will come to rebuild our Notre-Dame." - Emmanuel Macron
“Notre-Dame de Paris is our history, our literature, our imagination. The place where we live our great moments, our epidemics, our wars, our liberation, ”added Macron, who also said that his thoughts are with Catholics and Parisians.
"The next few hours will be difficult ... but the worst has been avoided," he said, noting that there were no casualties.
“I want to give a word of hope to all of us. That hope is the pride we must have. Pride for everyone who avoided the worst: our firefighters, ”said the president.
Notre Dame is not yet fully built.