Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire Monday, sending smoke billowing into the Paris skyline in photos and videos captured by locals and tourists alike.
Shiv Malik, author and former investigative journalist for The Guardian, shared a video with the caption, “Notre Dame, Paris, is on fire and it feels like the end of the world.” (RELATED: Batons, Rocks And Fireworks: Rioters Converge On Paris Over Gas Tax Hikes)
Notre Dame, Paris, is on fire and it feels like the end of the world. pic.twitter.com/qYYk7ewipq
— Shiv Malik (@shivmalik) April 15, 2019
Al Jazeera producer Tristan Redman noted that it didn’t look good.
#NotreDame fire looks big from our view at Tour Montparnasse. Smoke and flames high into the sky. Looks to be moving fast pic.twitter.com/gffZqKHWuW
— Tristan Redman (@TristanAJE) April 15, 2019
Flames from roof of Notre Dame #NotreDame #paris pic.twitter.com/k7PT2hEOn2
— Tristan Redman (@TristanAJE) April 15, 2019
Horrible #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/BndHQRO1b5
— Solveig Godeluck (@Solwii) April 15, 2019
#NotreDame, 700 years of history in flames. Just now. pic.twitter.com/vO7Mpg3i4g
— Bette Dam (@BetteDam) April 15, 2019
BREAKING: #Paris landmark, Notre Dame Cathedral, is on fire #NotreDamedeParis #NotreDame #France pic.twitter.com/xJ9FJRCRvX
— Auskar Surbakti (@AuskarSurbakti) April 15, 2019
Smoke billowing from Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. pic.twitter.com/mvx4jN19fH
— David Almacy (@almacy) April 15, 2019
BREAKING: #Paris‘ ancient #NotreDame cathedral is on fire.
Rothschild protege Macron has to go. pic.twitter.com/LBl4T7vmGe
— Partisangirl ???????? (@Partisangirl) April 15, 2019
Watching this huge cloud of smoke from #NotreDame on fire pic.twitter.com/qzh5Mztc37
— Fergal Keane (@fergalkeane47) April 15, 2019
JUST IN: Police in Paris say the Notre Dame cathedral is on fire https://t.co/EOjpBXDoDQ pic.twitter.com/GXF1FGWWly
— CNN (@CNN) April 15, 2019
The moment #NotreDame’s spire fell pic.twitter.com/XUcr6Iob0b
— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, called for residents and tourists to stay away from the area because of security concerns.
Un terrible incendie est en cours à la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Les @PompiersParis sont en train de tenter de maîtriser les flammes. Nous sommes mobilisés sur place en lien étroit avec le @dioceseParis. J’invite chacune et chacun à respecter le périmètre de sécurité. pic.twitter.com/9X0tGtlgba
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) April 15, 2019
According to the reports from the Paris Fire Service, the blaze may be linked to ongoing renovations of the cathedral.
Fire at Paris’ Notre Dame cathedral was started by accident and is related to ongoing work, according to France 2, citing police. Either way it is terrible and a hideous blow to the symbolic heart of the city
— Luke Baker (@BakerLuke) April 15, 2019
President Donald Trump responded to the news on Twitter, saying, “So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.” He urged those battling the blaze to “act quickly,” suggesting the use of airborne water tankers.
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2019
Initial construction of the massive project began in 1163 and took two centuries to complete.