UPDATE #3: 7:50 p.m. EST
It appears what was stone, and much of the interior of the cathedral was able to be saved. So have many of the treasures contained within. As evening fell, the thousands of observers in the streets sang "Ave Maria."
UPDATE #2: 3:55 p.m. EST
French Interior Minister just announced that the 400 firefighters battling the flames may not be able to save the Cathedral, per MSNBC. Dropping water by plane would essentially bring about the collapse of the edifice.
UPDATE #1: 2:00 p.m. EST
The spire where the fire seems to have originated has collapsed into the church. The spire weighed 750 tons. The roof is nearly fully engulfed, and traveling rapidly towards the front of the Cathedral. French president Emanuel Macron has cancelled a planned televised speech tonight in order to be able to respond to the fire and ensuing emergency. MSNBC is reporting that the ceiling has caved in.
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A massive fire has broken out in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France. The building has been completely evacuated, and firefighters are on the scene.
It is too early to report on casualties or injuries, though it seems everyone were safely able to escape. There were renovations happenings at the cathedral, and the scaffolding around the tallest spire caught fire. The roof is engulfed in flames.
This is a developing story.
Let us all hope Yasher Ali is correct.
UPDATE 2: 11:45 AM (Karoli) Mike Pence has issued a statement which I find wildly ironic given his silence after the burning of 3 Black churches in Louisiana.
