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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:

Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, has said One World Trade Center's spire to be lit in the colours of the French flag in solidarity with France and with the global Catholic community.

He described Notre Dame as "one of the world's most sacred and celebrated religious monuments." 

Zamira Rahim16 April 2019 19:40

Parisians are gathering at a vigil in the city and are singing and praying for the future of Notre Dame.

Zamira Rahim16 April 2019 19:50

The fire which gutted Notre Dame on Monday should serve as a warning for Britain, The Independent's editorial argues today.

"The pain of witnessing the destruction must be a goad to us all and a reminder of our obligation to protect what we have inherited and to pass it on in good condition to those who come after us," the piece says.

Zamira Rahim16 April 2019 20:00

Photos are beginning to emerge from the church of Saint Sulpice in Paris.

People are gathered there for a vigil, to pray for Notre Dame.

Zamira Rahim16 April 2019 20:12

People are singing and praying at the church of Saint Sulpice in Paris.

Zamira Rahim16 April 2019 20:30

Investigators will not be able to enter Notre Dame's nave until experts are convinced that the cathedral is structurally sound.

"Yesterday we thought the whole cathedral would collapse. Yet this morning she is still standing, valiant, despite everything," said Marie Aimee, a nun who ran to a nearby church to pray as the fire spread.

Zamira Rahim16 April 2019 20:45

Remy Heitz, the Paris prosecutor, has said the inquiry into the Notre Dame fire will be "long and complex".

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

Mr Heitz said the initial fire alarm was sounded at 6.20pm but that no blaze was found.

Only when a second alert rang out at 6.43pm was the fire discovered in the cathedral's roof.

Zamira Rahim16 April 2019 21:00

Cathedral and church bells will toll across England on Maundy Thursday in a show of solidarity with France.

Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, requested churches to take part in a statement released on Tuesday.

The bells will ring for seven minutes from 7pm, in a gesture suggested by Edward Llewellyn, the British Ambassador to France.

Zamira Rahim16 April 2019 21:10

Many people have now gathered at the Place Saint Michel in Paris, at a vigil for Notre Dame.

Zamira Rahim16 April 2019 21:13

Axa, a French insurance firm, has confirmed that it provided insurance cover for some of Notre Dame's relics and artworks.

It also provided cover for two of the firms working on the Notre Dame restoration.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is still underway and is likely to be complex, though the Paris prosecutors' office has ruled out arson.

Zamira Rahim16 April 2019 21:16

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