Centuries of history – in flames

'Everything is burning': History ablaze at Notre Dame

The famed Notre Dame cathedral in Paris went up in flames Monday as shocked crowds gathered in the streets to watch one of the globe's most iconic churches burn. Smoke flowed from the 850-year-old structure before the cathedral's spire tumbled over, engulfed by flames. The fire burned basically unabated for hours despite hundreds of firefighters' efforts. It continued to glow when darkness fell. French President Emmanuel Macron summed up the emotions: "I am sad tonight to see this part of all of us burn."

Notre Dame spokesman Andre Finot told Le Figaro newspaper, "Everything is burning."