Flames engulfed the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris yesterday, toppling its spire and threatening the entire wooden frame of the building.
The catastrophic fire left people across France mourning the devastation of its cultural and historic "epicentre" and sent shockwaves around the world.
Hundreds of firefighters worked throughout the night to tackle the blaze, battling to stop it wreaking complete destruction.
Ashes from the blaze were scattered along the footpaths of the Seine on Tuesday morning as crowds of people gathered to see the damage and take pictures.
While firefighters and workmen remain at the scene on Tuesday morning, here’s a look at what we know so far:
The first report of the blaze emerged shortly before 6pm on Monday. Flames burst through the roof of the building and quickly engulfed the 315ft spire, which later collapsed.
The blaze moved through the cathedral, ravaging two-thirds of the roof and spreading to one of the two rectangular towers which formed its famous frontage.
Around 400 firefighters battled the fire into the night and tried to salvage artwork and other priceless pieces stored in the 12th-century cathedral.
Officials warned that fire crews might not be able to stop the huge blaze, but the Paris fire chief later confirmed the building's structure had been saved.
They later said they had stopped it spreading to the northern belfry of the 850-year-old building.
There have been no deaths reported but one firefighter was seriously injured.
The cause of the fire remains unknown but following a preliminary investigation, Paris prosecutors have said it is believed to be an accident.
Prosecutors later said they had ruled out arson and do not believe the fire was terror-related but police will conduct an investigation into "involuntary destruction caused by fire".
Officials said the fire may be linked to renovation work at one of the world's most famous tourist attractions, French media reported.
President Emmanuel Macron postponed an important address to the nation that was to lay out his response to the yellow vest crisis and instead headed to the scene of the fire in Paris.
Ashes from the blaze were scattered along the footpaths of the Seine on Tuesday morning.
Bridges on to the Ile de la Cite - the island in the Seine where the cathedral stands - were closed but joggers were free to take their morning run on the river banks either side of the building.
Crowds of people had come to view the damage and take pictures, while firefighters could be seen taking a break on the walls around Notre Dame's gardens.
Workmen could be seen on the cathedral's stone balconies, while scaffolding surrounds the area where the spire once stood.
Millions have now been donated to rebuild the cathedral, with one French billionaire pledging €100 million to the cause.
