A massive fire broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday afternoon, sending flames shooting out of the roof of the iconic landmark.
Fire officials told Agence France-Press that the fire was potentially linked to the renovation of the building and is believed to have started in the attic.
Dramatic images posted to social media showed the roof of the medieval cathedral engulfed in flames. Smoke could be seen billowing from miles away.
The foundation stone for the cathedral was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163 and construction took over two decades. It survived the French Revolution in the late 18th century and benefited from a surge in popularity following the publication of Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” in 1831.
President Trump, who was traveling from Washington, D.C., to Minnesota aboard Air Force One, saw the images, which were being broadcast across all three U.S. cable news channels.
DHundreds of people gathered in the streets below in horror to watch the blaze, some in tears, others simply shouting its name.
A CNN International correspondent said that blowing cinders were falling on their heads.
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