Notre Dame: "The entire fire is out," says Paris Fire Brigade

PARIS, April 14 (MENA) - Firefighters have completely extinguished a "significant fire" that broke out at the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday evening.

"The entire fire is out. We've now entered the expertise phase," said Gabriel Plus, the spokesman for the Paris fire brigade, adding that the "violent fire" had "spread very quickly over the entire roof" on "about 1,000 square metres".

Smoke could be seen billowing out from the top of the medieval cathedral in to the early hours of Tuesday, as flames leapt out beside its two bell towers, euronews reported.

One firefighter was seriously injured in the blaze — the only reported casualty.

Both the spire and roof of the cathedral collapsed, but the main structure was preserved, Paris fire chief Jean-Claude Gallet told reporters at the scene.

"We now believe that the two towers of Notre-Dame have been saved," he added.

Gallet said that the operation was focused on preserving the rear of the cathedral where the most valuable works are located.

But even though the entirety of the fire has been extinguished, authorities are not certain whether the cathedral's structure will resist, said French junior interior Minister Laurent Nunez.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. The Paris Prosecutor has opened an official investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

An investigation was opened for accidental destruction by fire, said Paris prosecutors.

A group of 16 copper statues escaped the blaze as they were removed from the cathedral's roof on April 11 for restoration work, as part of a €6 million renovation project.

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to rebuild Notre-Dame in a public address.

"Notre-Dame is burning, and I know the sadness, and this tremor felt by so many fellow French people. But tonight, I'd like to speak of hope too," he said, announcing the launch of a fundraising campaign.

"Let's be proud, because we built this cathedral more than 800 years ago, we've built it and, throughout the centuries, let it grow and improved it. So I solemnly say tonight: we will rebuild it together," he added.