Pope Francis has said he is “praying for French Catholics and for the people of Paris in face of the terrible fire which has ravaged Notre Dame cathedral”, as wealthy benefactors pledged hundreds of millions of euros to rebuild the centuries-old building.
Fire ripped through the iconic cathedral on Monday evening, bringing down its wooden spire as some 500 firefighters battled the flames. One was injured but no one was killed.
The blaze is thought to have begun accidentally amid extensive restoration work on the Paris landmark, which is visited by 12 million people a year.
The fire was declared fully extinguished just before 9am UK time on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild the medieval cathedral of Notre Dame after a major fire partially destroyed the Paris landmark.
Firefighters managed to save the 850-year-old Gothic building’s main stone structure, including its two towers, but the spire and roof collapsed.
The fire was declared under control almost nine hours after it started.
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The cause is not yet clear but officials say it could be linked to extensive renovation works under way.
Paris prosecutor’s office said it was currently being investigated as an accident. A firefighter was lightly injured while tackling the blaze, Commander Jean-Claude Gallet told BFM TV.
It is expected to take several days to completely extinguish the fire.
Visiting the site on Monday night, Mr Macron said the “worst had been avoided” with the preservation of the cathedral’s main structure as he pledged to launch an international fundraising scheme for the reconstruction.
