Authorities in Paris say a large fire broke out at the Notre Dame Cathedral on April 15.
“Huge crowds have gathered looking on in absolute astonishment and horror at what has happened here,” CNN’s Melissa Bell reported from the scene.
Social media footage appears to show the top of the building engulfed in flames. According to France 24 news channel, the roof appears to have collapsed. It’s not clear yet what caused the fire at the famed cathedral, but the BBC reported that it could be tied to renovation work.
Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris wrote in French on Twitter that authorities were on the scene and were trying to control the blaze.
President Donald Trump also weighed in on the news, calling the fire “horrible.”
“So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!,” Trump wrote.
A man on the scene told CBS News that people in the city and near the fire were in shock.
“There are thousands and thousands of people all lined on the Seine, all on the bridges and a big gasp of disappointment as the 300-foot spire toppled about six or seven minutes ago,” the man told CBS.
The Notre Dame, located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris on the River Seine, has a famed history that dates back to the 12th century.
Over 12 million people visited the cathedral in 2017, according to News 18, making it the most visited monument in Paris that year.