Fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

A fire at Paris' Notre Dame cathedral was reportedly started by accident, and is related to ongoing work, according to France 2 News which cites police. The Paris bureau chief for Reuters said the news "is terrible and a hideous blow to the symbolic heart of the city."

The entire structure is involved. The spire has collapsed.

This is the worst day for France since June 14, 1940.

Patrick Galey of Agence-France Presse shot photos and video from Paris, and they're below.

Reuters:

A fire broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday afternoon, a spokesman from the fire department said.

Smoke could be seen billowing out from the top of the medieval cathedral, as flames lept out besides its two bell towers, a Reuters witness said.

A major operation was under way, the fire department added, while a city hall spokesman said on Twitter that the area was being cleared.