Notre Dame Cathedral fire, burning and collapse in Paris – live updates – CBS News

Notre Dame fire: What we know

• A major fire erupted at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris Monday.
• The cathedral, which was undergoing renovations, suffered extensive damage.
• Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire.
• No deaths have been reported.
• Notre Dame construction began in 1163 and was completed in 1345.

The iconic spire at the top of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has collapsed after a major fire broke out Monday. Video showed part of the roof of the cathedral collapsing into itself as the fire rages on.

“Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame,” Notre Dame spokesperson Andre Finot told French media, according to the Associated Press. By Monday evening, Paris fire chief Jean-Claude Gallet told reporters he believes firefighters have managed to save the cathedral’s landmark rectangular towers from the blaze.

Gallet said, “We now believe that the two towers of Notre Dame have been saved,” Reuters news agency reported. “We now consider that the main structure of Notre Dame has been saved and preserved.” There was still a risk that some of the interior structures could collapse, he said.

A deputy mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Gregoire, said the cathedral had suffered “colossal damages.” President Emmanuel Macron came to the scene to view the damage and meet with emergency officials.

The Sécurité Civile of France, part of the French Ministry of Interior, said hundreds of members of the Paris Fire Brigade were doing everything possible to get the fire under control and save the historic structure. The agency said in a tweet, “all means are being used, except for water-bombing aircrafts which, if used, could lead to the collapse of the entire structure of the cathedral.”