Paris: A major fire has broken out at the medieval Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris, leading firefighters to clear the area around one of the city's most visited landmarks.
Smoke could be seen billowing out from the top of the gothic cathedral, as flames lept out besides its two bell towers.
Locals and tourists watched in horror as one of France's most treasured buildings was engulfed, the famous spire that had been a city landmark for hundreds of years collapsing into the flames.
The cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century and is famous for featuring in Victor Hugo's classic novel the Hunchback of Notre Dame, attracts millions of tourists every year.
It was not immediately clear what had caused the fire. France 2 television reported that police were treating the incident as an accident.
Notre Dame was in the midst of renovations, with some sections under scaffolding, while bronze statues were removed last week for works.
The fire alarm went off around 6.30pm local time, according to André Finot, a spokesman for the cathedral.
French President Emmanuel Macron cancelled a planned speech to the nation as the fire roared through the building. Instead, the President was on his way to the scene.
He posted on Twitter that "a part of all of us is burning".
More to come
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