EARLIER TODAY

The roof and main spire of the world famous Notre Dame cathedral collapsed after a devastating blaze tore the 800 year old sacred site apart in the French capital of Paris.

A major operation continues this evening to bring the fire under control after it broke out on Monday afternoon in the French capital.

At Present

Smoke can still be seen billowing out from the top of the gothic cathedral, as flames leap out besides its two bell towers. A heavy cloud of smoke hangs over Paris, both physically and emotionally as the beloved icon falls.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the fire at the landmark which attracts millions of tourists every year.

French president Emmanuel Macron remains at the scene of the Notre Dame fire.

French president Emmanuel Macron is treating the fire gutting Notre Dame as a national emergency.

Meanwhile, France’s civil security agency says “all means” except for water-dropping aircraft, were deployed to tackle the blaze.

The agency said that would be unsuitable for fires like the one at Notre Dame because dumping water on the building could cause the whole structure to collapse. US President Donald Trump, urged Macron to ignore this advice and water dump.

The mammoth fire that destroyed the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral has spread to one of the church’s landmark rectangular towers.

Paris police said firefighters are inside the cathedral working to put the flames out, while others work from the exterior. Red smoke continues to pour out of the cathedral.

800 years of heritage

French writer and historian Camille Pascal has said the fire has caused “the destruction of invaluable heritage” and that “we can be only horrified by what we see.”

Mr Pascal told French broadcaster BFMTV: “It’s been 800 years that the Cathedral watches over Paris” and its bells pealed for both “happy and unfortunate events”.

History of Notre Dame Cathedral – Paris’ most visited land mark

One of the city’s oldest and most recognisable buildings, work began on Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral in 1163 CE.

The original structure was completed nearly 200 years later, in 1345, and its name literally translates to “Our Lady of Paris”.

Some 13 million people now visit the Catholic landmark every year – more than 30,000 every day on average – according to its official website, and it is believed to be the most visited structure in the French capital.

The first stone of the original structure was laid in front of Pope Alexander III after the Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully, proposed the cathedral after his election in 1160.

It grew in iconic significance after featuring in popular culture through several artistic works, including the Victor Hugo novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which was published in 1831 and adapted by Disney in 1996.

The cathedral also houses a beehive over the sacristy, which was added in spring 2013.

Donald Trump tweeted some very poor advice: 

“So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!”