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As it happenedended

Notre Dame fire: Parisians hold huge vigil at cathedral as monuments around the world light up in solidarity

One World Center, Duomo chapel and Venice theatre among landmarks illuminated with French colours

Notre Dame fire: What we know so far

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Parisians gathered in front of Notre Dame on Tuesday night, at a vigil where music was played and attendees prayed for the future of the cathedral.

The fire which devastated the cathedral is thought to have been caused by an accident rather than arson, the Paris public prosecutor said.

Investigators are working to establish what led the centuries-old architectural masterpiece to be consumed by flames on Monday evening.

Fifty investigators are working on the probe and will interview workers from five companies, hired to renovate Notre Dame’s roof.

Remy Heitz, the Paris prosecutor, said the inquiry into the Notre Dame fire would be “long and complex”.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, committed to rebuild the church within five years, in a short public address on Tuesday.

He called for unity and said Notre Dame would be restored to be “even more beautiful”.

“We can do it and once again, we will mobilise,” he said.

Wealthy French benefactors have pledged hundreds of millions of euros to rebuild the famous building after its roof and spire were ravaged by the blaze.

On Tuesday night, monuments around the world were lit up in the colours of the French flag, in a show of solidarity with Paris.

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One World Trade Centre, the dome of the Chapel of the Holy Shroud inside the Duomo in Turin and the La Fenice theatre in Venice, were among the monuments taking part in the global gesture.

If you would like to see how the Notre Dame fire unfolded, please see what was our live coverage below:

French interior minister Christophe Castaner said there are still some risks that may endanger the structure of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Mr Castaner told reporters after a brief visit to the cathedral it is "under permanent surveillance because it can still budge".

He added that state employees will need to wait 48 hours before being able to safely enter the cathedral and take care of the art works that are still there. Some were too big to be transferred.

Mr Castaner said: "We will be standing at [Notre Dame's] bedside."

Samuel Osborne16 April 2019 16:21

Czech president Milos Zeman is offering France the expertise and assistance of leading Czech specialists.

In a letter to his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, Mr Zeman said the Czech Republic is, like France, a country with many Gothic and medieval historic buildings and palaces.

Mr Zeman said "the fire of Notre Dame affects us all".

Mr Zeman offered teams of top restoration experts that work at Prague Castle, the historic seat of Czech presidency, which includes St Vitus Cathedral, a Gothic architectural masterpiece.

Czech prime minister Andrej Babis said his country is also ready to send France financial assistance.

Samuel Osborne16 April 2019 16:34

Queen Elizabeth has sent a message to French president Emmanuel Macron to say she was deeply saddened by the fire which engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral and that her prayers were with all of France, Buckingham Palace said.

"Prince Philip and I have been deeply saddened to see the images of the fire which has engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral," Queen Elizabeth's message said.

"I extend my sincere admiration to the emergency services who have risked their lives to try to save this important national monument.

"My thoughts and prayers are with those who worship at the Cathedral and all of France at this difficult time."

Samuel Osborne16 April 2019 16:45

Queen Elizabeth's oldest son, Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, said he too was "utterly heartbroken" to learn of the fire.

Charles, who has expressed strong feelings about protecting traditional architecture, said in a message to Mr Macron: "I realise only too well what a truly special significance the cathedral holds at the heart of your nation; but also for us all outside France it represents one of the greatest architectural achievements of Western Civilisation."

He added: "It is a treasure for all mankind and, as such, to witness its destruction in this most dreadful conflagration is a shattering tragedy, the unbearable pain of which we all share."

Samuel Osborne16 April 2019 16:54
Samuel Osborne16 April 2019 17:04

Historic England has offered to support France's efforts to restore Notre Dame Cathedral.

Chief executive Duncan Wilson said: "We are shocked and devastated by the terrible fire at Notre Dame de Paris and the extent of damage to one of the most beautiful buildings in Europe - a symbol of France and an extraordinary example of Gothic architecture.

"We are in contact with friends and colleagues in France and stand ready to offer any support that might assist in the challenging work that lies ahead to secure Notre Dame and plan for its future."

Samuel Osborne16 April 2019 17:13

Donald Trump has expressed condolences to French president Emmanuel Macron over the Notre Dame fire during a phone call on Tuesday and offered US assistance in the rehabilitation of the cathedral, the White House said.

"Notre Dame will continue to serve as a symbol of France, including its freedom of religion and democracy," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

"We remember with grateful hearts the tolling of Notre Dame's bells on 12 September, 2001, in solemn recognition of the tragic 11 September attacks on American soil. Those bells will sound again."

Samuel Osborne16 April 2019 17:22

Victor Hugo's novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" has rocketed to the top of the bestseller list of Amazon in France in its original version. 

Meanwhile, the English translation of the 1831 novel is also number one in sales in the category of historical fiction. 

Telling the story of Quasimodo, a deformed bell-ringer of the cathedral in the 15th century, the book helped rally support for Notre Dame's massive renovation later in the 19th century. 

Campaigning for the preservation of the cathedral, Hugo described it as crumbling and marked by "countless defacements and mutilations," contributing to alert the public about the issue. 

Samuel Osborne16 April 2019 17:34

Notre Dame's heritage director has said only one piece of architecture inside the sacred building has been damaged.

Laurent Prades says the high altar, which was installed in 1989, was hit and harmed by the cathedral's spire when it came crashing down in the flames.

"We have been able to salvage all the rest," said Mr Prades, who witnessed the recovery first hand overnight.

"All the 18th century steles, the pietas, frescoes, chapels and the big organ are fine."

Among the most famous elements inside the cathedral, Mr Prades added that the three large stained-glass rose windows have not been destroyed, though they may have been damaged by the heat and will be assessed by an expert.

Samuel Osborne16 April 2019 17:49

A Paris judicial official says investigators have questioned about 30 people after the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. 

He said most of them were employees working on the renovation of the monument. 

The official, speaking anonymously on an ongoing investigation, said the cathedral's fire alarms sounded twice on Monday evening. 

The first time, some people, including a fire official permanently working on the site, went to check under the roof and saw nothing. The second time it was already too late because the fire was too strong, the official said. 

He added that 40 to 50 investigators are working on the case but are not allowed to enter the monument yet for safety reasons. 

Samuel Osborne16 April 2019 18:06

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