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Photos: Shock, prayers around the world for Notre Dame Cathedral

A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky. The flames and smoke plumed from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people a year. Experts say the combination of a structure that’s more than 850 years old, built with heavy timber construction and soaring open spaces, and lacking sophisticated fire-protection systems left firefighters with devastatingly few options.

Updated on: Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM IST

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Smoke billows as flames burn through the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral on April 15, 2019, in the French capital Paris. Notre-Dame Cathedral went up in flames on Monday in a roaring blaze that devastated the Parisian landmark, one of France’s most visited places. Flames burst through the roof of the centuries-old cathedral and quickly engulfed the spire, which collapsed. (Fabien Barrau / AFP)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

Smoke billows as flames burn through the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral on April 15, 2019, in the French capital Paris. Notre-Dame Cathedral went up in flames on Monday in a roaring blaze that devastated the Parisian landmark, one of France’s most visited places. Flames burst through the roof of the centuries-old cathedral and quickly engulfed the spire, which collapsed. (Fabien Barrau / AFP)

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The church spire that extended 96-meters-high seen collapsing as the cathedral is engulfed in flames. The spire of Notre-Dame collapsed as a flames ravaged the roof of the famed gothic monument, deputy Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire told BFM TV, describing “colossal damage”. (Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt / AFP)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

The church spire that extended 96-meters-high seen collapsing as the cathedral is engulfed in flames. The spire of Notre-Dame collapsed as a flames ravaged the roof of the famed gothic monument, deputy Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire told BFM TV, describing “colossal damage”. (Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt / AFP)

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People watch as flames and smoke rise. The cause of the fire is yet not known, but officials say it could be linked to renovation work at the 850-year-old heritage structure. Over 850 years, Notre-Dame de Paris survived the French Revolution, two world wars, terror threats and pollution. (Martin Barzilai / Bloomberg)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

People watch as flames and smoke rise. The cause of the fire is yet not known, but officials say it could be linked to renovation work at the 850-year-old heritage structure. Over 850 years, Notre-Dame de Paris survived the French Revolution, two world wars, terror threats and pollution. (Martin Barzilai / Bloomberg)

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Around 400 firefighters were attempting to stop the destruction of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Monday evening, describing the blaze as “difficult” to handle. France’s civil security agency said “all means” except for water-dropping aircraft were deployed to tackle the blaze. (Martin Barzilai / Bloomberg)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

Around 400 firefighters were attempting to stop the destruction of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Monday evening, describing the blaze as “difficult” to handle. France’s civil security agency said “all means” except for water-dropping aircraft were deployed to tackle the blaze. (Martin Barzilai / Bloomberg)

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This general view taken from Montparnasse Tower shows the fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The cathedral was located at the centre of the French capital in the Middle Ages and its construction was completed in the mid-12th century after some 200 years of work. (Philippe Lopez / AFP)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

This general view taken from Montparnasse Tower shows the fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The cathedral was located at the centre of the French capital in the Middle Ages and its construction was completed in the mid-12th century after some 200 years of work. (Philippe Lopez / AFP)

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Firefighter douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral. During the French Revolution in the 18th century, the cathedral was vandalised in widespread anti-Catholic violence: its spire was dismantled, its treasures plundered and its large statues at the grand entrance doors destroyed. (Francois Guillot / AFP)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

Firefighter douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral. During the French Revolution in the 18th century, the cathedral was vandalised in widespread anti-Catholic violence: its spire was dismantled, its treasures plundered and its large statues at the grand entrance doors destroyed. (Francois Guillot / AFP)

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Flames and smoke billow around the gargoyles decorating the roof and sides of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The cathedral went on to feature as a central character in a Victor Hugo novel published in 1831, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” and shortly afterwards a restoration project lasting two decades got under way, led by architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. (Thomas Samson / AFP)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

Flames and smoke billow around the gargoyles decorating the roof and sides of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The cathedral went on to feature as a central character in a Victor Hugo novel published in 1831, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” and shortly afterwards a restoration project lasting two decades got under way, led by architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. (Thomas Samson / AFP)

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Parisians had gathered to say prayers and sing hymns In front of the nearby Saint Julien Les Pauvres church as the massive blaze burned only a few hundred meters away. A couple hundred people knent in prayer at the center of a larger group, who were standing around the edge and joining in the hymns between the prayers. (Martin Barzilai / Bloomberg)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

Parisians had gathered to say prayers and sing hymns In front of the nearby Saint Julien Les Pauvres church as the massive blaze burned only a few hundred meters away. A couple hundred people knent in prayer at the center of a larger group, who were standing around the edge and joining in the hymns between the prayers. (Martin Barzilai / Bloomberg)

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Gasps and cries of “Oh my god” erupted around an hour after the fire first broke out when the top portion of the church’s spire came crashing down. “We have been dealt a knockout blow,” a stricken-looking Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit told reporters. (Benoit Tessier / REUTERS)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

Gasps and cries of “Oh my god” erupted around an hour after the fire first broke out when the top portion of the church’s spire came crashing down. “We have been dealt a knockout blow,” a stricken-looking Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit told reporters. (Benoit Tessier / REUTERS)

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Smoke rises around the altar in front of the cross inside the Notre Dame Cathedral. The building survived the devastation of two global conflicts in the 20th century and famously rang its bells on August 24, 1944, the day of the Liberation of Paris from German occupation at the end of the World War II. (Philippe Wojazer / Pool / REUTERS)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

Smoke rises around the altar in front of the cross inside the Notre Dame Cathedral. The building survived the devastation of two global conflicts in the 20th century and famously rang its bells on August 24, 1944, the day of the Liberation of Paris from German occupation at the end of the World War II. (Philippe Wojazer / Pool / REUTERS)

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Flames and smoke are seen as the interior continues to burn. Some of the factors that made Notre Dame a must-see for visitors to Paris — its age, sweeping size and French Gothic design featuring masonry walls and tree trunk-sized wooden beams — also made it a tinderbox and a difficult place to fight a fire. (Philippe Wojazer / Pool / REUTERS)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

Flames and smoke are seen as the interior continues to burn. Some of the factors that made Notre Dame a must-see for visitors to Paris — its age, sweeping size and French Gothic design featuring masonry walls and tree trunk-sized wooden beams — also made it a tinderbox and a difficult place to fight a fire. (Philippe Wojazer / Pool / REUTERS)

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French President Emmanuel Macron walks near the Notre Dame Cathedral as its burns. Macron cancelled a planned policy speech and headed to the scene, where he vowed the cathedral would be reborn. “We will rebuild Notre-Dame because it is what the French expect,” he said, describing Notre Dame as “the epicentre of our life” and the cathedral of “all the French”, whether religious or not. (Philippe Wojazer / Pool / REUTERS)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

French President Emmanuel Macron walks near the Notre Dame Cathedral as its burns. Macron cancelled a planned policy speech and headed to the scene, where he vowed the cathedral would be reborn. “We will rebuild Notre-Dame because it is what the French expect,” he said, describing Notre Dame as “the epicentre of our life” and the cathedral of “all the French”, whether religious or not. (Philippe Wojazer / Pool / REUTERS)

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People pray and sing religious songs next to Notre Dame Cathedral. “Notre-Dame survived all the wars, all the bombardments. We never thought it could burn. I feel incredibly sad and empty,” Stephane Seigneurie, a consultant who joined other shocked onlookers in a solemn rendition of “Ave Maria” as they watched the fire from a nearby bridge. (Charles Platiau / REUTERS)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

People pray and sing religious songs next to Notre Dame Cathedral. “Notre-Dame survived all the wars, all the bombardments. We never thought it could burn. I feel incredibly sad and empty,” Stephane Seigneurie, a consultant who joined other shocked onlookers in a solemn rendition of “Ave Maria” as they watched the fire from a nearby bridge. (Charles Platiau / REUTERS)

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Sparks fill the air as Paris Fire brigade members spray water to extinguish flames. Paris prosecutor’s office says it has opened investigation for damage caused accidentally at fire at Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral. (Philippe Wojazer / REUTERS)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

Sparks fill the air as Paris Fire brigade members spray water to extinguish flames. Paris prosecutor’s office says it has opened investigation for damage caused accidentally at fire at Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral. (Philippe Wojazer / REUTERS)

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The main structure of Notre Dame cathedral in central Paris was saved after hours of fire-fighting to put out a devastating blaze, the city’s top fire official said late Monday. It appeared that the two main towers of the building had been saved. (Zakaria Abdelkafi / AFP)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

The main structure of Notre Dame cathedral in central Paris was saved after hours of fire-fighting to put out a devastating blaze, the city’s top fire official said late Monday. It appeared that the two main towers of the building had been saved. (Zakaria Abdelkafi / AFP)

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A man plays violoncello as people come to watch and photograph the Notre Dame after the fire on April 16, 2019. (Christophe Ena / AP)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

A man plays violoncello as people come to watch and photograph the Notre Dame after the fire on April 16, 2019. (Christophe Ena / AP)

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View of Notre-Dame Cathedral after the fire. French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault pledged 100 million euros ($113 million) on Monday towards the rebuilding of Notre Dame Cathedral. In a statement sent to AFP the CEO of the Kering group said the money towards “the effort necessary to completely rebuild Notre Dame” would be paid by the Pinault family’s investment firm Artemis. (Gonzalo Fuentes / REUTERS)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

View of Notre-Dame Cathedral after the fire. French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault pledged 100 million euros ($113 million) on Monday towards the rebuilding of Notre Dame Cathedral. In a statement sent to AFP the CEO of the Kering group said the money towards “the effort necessary to completely rebuild Notre Dame” would be paid by the Pinault family’s investment firm Artemis. (Gonzalo Fuentes / REUTERS)

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This April 18, 1967, file photo, shows the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Art experts, political and religious leaders around the world reacted with horror to news of the fire that ravaged cathedral on Monday. One shell-shocked art expert is calling the beloved Gothic masterpiece “one of the great monuments to the best of civilization.” (AP File)

Updated on Apr 17, 2019 10:21 AM

This April 18, 1967, file photo, shows the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Art experts, political and religious leaders around the world reacted with horror to news of the fire that ravaged cathedral on Monday. One shell-shocked art expert is calling the beloved Gothic masterpiece “one of the great monuments to the best of civilization.” (AP File)

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