A massive blaze that partially destroyed the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has been completely extinguished.
Firefighters managed to save the 850-year-old building's main stone structure, but the roof and other parts of the cathedral were destroyed in the blaze overnight to Tuesday.
The fire on the roof had reached 1,000 square metres in size before it was contained.
After a "bitter battle" to douse the flames, firefighters were able to maintain the edifice's structure and rescue the cathedral's most important artworks, the fire brigade said, adding that two police officers and one firefighter had sustained slight injuries.
Though the reason for the fire has yet to be determined, Patrick Chauvet, the rector of the cathedral, told broadcaster France Inter that there had been wardens checking the roof for fire hazards three times a day.
He said the public would now have to wait for the outcome of official investigations.
The Paris prosecutor's office is investigating a count of "involuntary destruction by fire," saying there is currently no evidence to indicate that it may have been arson.
French media reported that the fire may have been linked to renovation work on the roof and the spire, which dated back to a 19th-century restoration.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced her intention to hold a donor conference for the cathedral's reconstruction on Tuesday.
Several donors have already come forward: the Ile-de-France region that contains Paris has said it will put forward 10 million euros (11.3 million dollars), while the LVMH luxury goods group of French billionaire Bernard Arnaud will donate 200 million euros.
The pledges follow a 100-million-euro donation for Notre Dame from Kering luxury good company owner Francois Henri Pinault.
-IANS
