A devastating blaze has struck the historic Notre Dame Cathedral.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the fire was a national emergency and promised to rebuild the Paris landmark.

Here’s the latest from the French capital:

7.15am

Ed Llewellyn, the British ambassador to France, shared his thoughts and a picture on Twitter this morning.

Scores of Parisians had also arrived on the banks of the Seine to view the damage.

Daniel Etieve, 70, told the Press Association: “I saw the flames on the television so this morning when I got up I quickly came here.

“It’s a very sad picture. For over 800 years this cathedral has been passed from generation to generation.

“Now I question what state we will pass it on to the generations after us.

“I hope that what we see from the outside is the worst and it’s mainly the spire and the roof and that the main parts have been protected.”

6.45am

Notre Dame cathedral fire
Firefighters in the remains of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (Gareth Fuller/PA)

6.40am

Ashes from the blaze were scattered along the footpaths of the Seine on Tuesday morning.

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.

Windows to the rear of the building were blackened but seemed to be intact.

Firefighters were still hosing the building with water jets.

6.15am

After almost 12 hours since the start of the blaze, here’s a recap of what we know so far:

– Smoke was seen coming from the building at 5.50pm BST (6.50pm local time)
– By 7.05pm, part of the spire collapsed amid the raging fire
– French president Emmanuel Macron met with police officials at the scene
– The fire that destroyed the spire spread to one of the church’s landmark rectangular towers
– The Paris fire chief said the structure had been saved
– Mr Macron said a fund will be launched to raise money for repairs

5.20am

World leaders have continued to share their messages of support following the fire.

South Korean president Moon Jae-in said the damage was “a loss for all of us” and called for the world to come together to rebuild the Paris landmark.

Mr Moon said the French people’s “spirit of liberty, equality and fraternity will never be dashed by flames”.

Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga also expressed his sympathy, saying: “Its damage is a loss to the world and our hearts ache.”

4.20am

The fire toppled the cathedral’s 300ft spire. This composite image shows its collapse.

France Notre Dame Fire
(Diana Ayanna/AP)

3.03am

And this is the link to a fundraising page posted by France’s Heritage Foundation.

3am

President Emmanuel Macron announced that the French government would set up a public fund to collect donations for the building works.

Here’s his speech to crowds outside Notre Dame.

2.35am

Here are some more front pages from abroad.

Le Soir carries the headline “Flames and tears”, writing: “With the fire at Notre Dame, more than 800 years of history have gone up in smoke.”

1.50am

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo shared an image of the relics taken from the cathedral to Paris City Hall for safekeeping.

“The crown of thorns, the tunic of Saint Louis and several other major works are now in a safe place,” she said.

1.20am

Earlier, former US president Barack Obama posted an old photo of himself, his wife Michelle and their two daughters lighting candles in the cathedral.

Michelle Obama, who was in Paris on Monday on a book tour, later said on Twitter: “My heart aches with the people of France”.

1.10am

France Notre Dame Fire
Flames and smoke rise as the spire of Notre Dame cathedral collapses in Paris (Dominique Bichon/AP)

12.30am

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said earlier that most artworks and religious relics were removed from Notre Dame as firefighters worked to control the blaze.

France’s culture minister Franck Riester posted photos on social media of people loading art on to trucks.

12.10am Tuesday April 16

France Notre Dame Fire
Smoke and flames are seen in the interior of Notre Dame cathedral (Philippe Wojazer/Pool/AP)
France Notre Dame Fire
Smoke is seen around the alter inside Notre Dame cathedral (Philippe Wojazer/Pool/AP)

11.50pm

Headlines such as “Disaster” and “Desolation” lead French front pages.

11.25pm

Britain’s newspapers are tweeting their front pages, with startling images of the fire capturing the headlines.

11pm

President Emmanuel Macron praised the “courage” and “great professionalism” of firefighters.

Announcing the launch of a fundraising campaign to restore Notre Dame, he said: “The worst has been avoided although the battle is not yet totally won.”

10.50pm

Firefighters spray water onto the facade of Notre Dame cathedral to stop the spread of fire
Firefighters spray water onto the facade of Notre Dame cathedral to stop the spread of fire (Michel Euler/AP)

10.40pm

Notre Dame with the Eiffel Tower in the background
Notre Dame with the Eiffel Tower in the background (Christophe Ena/AP)

10.35pm

Speaking after visiting the scene of the fire, French President Emmanuel Macron said the blaze was a “terrible tragedy”. He said a fund would be launched on Tuesday to raise money for repairs, adding: “We will rebuild.”

10.31pm

Prosecutors later said they have ruled out arson for now, and do not believe the fire was terror-related.

They said police will conduct an investigation into “involuntary destruction caused by fire”.

10.30pm

Notre Dame: extent of damage
(PA Graphics)

10.22pm

Fire commander Jean-Claude Gallet confirmed one firefighter was injured while tackling the blaze.

Mr Gallet said two thirds of Notre Dame’s roofing “has been ravaged”.

He said fire crews will keep working overnight to cool down the structure.

10.20pm

Paris prosecutors have said preliminary investigations indicate the fire was started accidentally.

10.10pm

The Mayor of Paris said people who live near Notre Dame have been evacuated in case of a collapse.

But Anne Hidalgo said firefighters were optimistic they could keep the famous towers from going up in flames.

Ms Hildalgo said the significant collection of artworks and holy objects kept inside the church had been recovered.

10.08pm

France Notre Dame fire
Firefighters were optimistic over saving the historic landmark (Christophe Ena/AP)

10.06pm

The Paris fire chief said the structure of Notre Dame has been saved, and the fire was stopped from spreading to the northern belfry.

10pm

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has said firefighters are optimistic they can salvage Notre Dame’s main towers from flames.

9.49pm

The Louvre Museum has described the blaze as “a tragedy for World Heritage”.

9.41pm

Efforts to tackle the blaze continue into the night
Efforts to tackle the blaze continue into the night (Francois Mori/AP)

9.37pm

Parisians gathered to pray and sing hymns outside the church of Saint Julien Les Pauvres across the river from Notre Dame.

France Notre Dame fire
(Christophe Ena/AP)

9.31pm

Video: What we know so far

9.27pm

An official from France’s Interior Ministry has said 400 firefighters are at the scene of the fire.

Laurent Nunez said the fire is not limited to a certain area and may continue to expand. He added the cause of fire remains unknown.

9.20pm

Donald Trump: Notre Dame blaze a terrible sight to behold

9.15pm

Notre Dame's famous towers engulfed in smoke (
Notre Dame’s famous towers engulfed in smoke (Thibault Camus/AP)

9.07pm

The Vatican has issued a statement, saying: “The Holy See has seen with shock and sadness the news of the terrible fire that has devastated the Cathedral of Notre Dame, symbol of Christianity in France and in the world.”

The statement said the Vatican is praying for firefighters “and those who are doing everything possible to confront this dramatic situation”.

It also expressed “our closeness to French Catholics and the population of Paris, and we assure our prayers for firefighters”.

9.05pm

The fire chief in Paris has said it is unclear if city firefighters will be able to keep the blaze from spreading and causing more destruction.

Jean-Claude Gallet said firefighters are “not sure we are capable of stopping the spreading” to Notre Dame’s second tower and belfry.

He said: “If it collapses, you can imagine how important the damage will be.”

8.56pm

8.55pm

Graphic locates Notre Dame cathedral fire
(PA Graphics)

8.55pm

Hundreds gathered near the scene as the landmark burned
Hundreds gathered near the scene as the landmark burned (Thibault Camus/AP{)

8.53pm

Watch: Politicians around the world react to the blaze

8.51pm

An official at France’s Interior Ministry has warned firefighters may not be able to save Notre Dame.

8.46pm

Firefighters close in on the blaze
Firefighters close in on the blaze (Francois Mori/AP)
Crowds were kept at a safe distance
Crowds were kept at a safe distance (Michel Euler/AP)

8.40pm

Prime Minister Theresa May offered her support.

8.39pm

Firefighters tackle the blaze at Notre Dame Cathedral
Firefighters tackle the blaze at Notre Dame Cathedral (Francois Mori/AP)

8.35pm

Former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said she wishes France strength “as they grieve and rebuild”.

“My heart goes out to Paris,” she tweeted. “Notre Dame is a symbol of our ability as human beings to unite for a higher purpose — to build breathtaking spaces for worship that no one person could have built on their own.

“I wish France strength and shared purpose as they grieve and rebuild.”

8.30pm

The fire that destroyed the spire of Notre Dame has spread to one of the church’s landmark rectangular towers.

Paris police say firefighters have moved inside the cathedral.

8.25pm

British church Westminster Abbey has said it is “devastated for our friends” at Notre Dame.

8.20pm

French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived at the scene of the fire and is meeting police officials.

8.15pm

Flames and smoke rise from Notre Dame Cathedral
Flames and smoke rise from Notre Dame Cathedral (Michel Euler/AP)

8.05pm

French President Emmanuel Macron postponed a televised speech to the nation because of the stunning blaze and was going to the cathedral himself.

He said: “Our Lady of Paris in flames. Emotion of a whole nation. Thought for all Catholics and for all French. Like all our countrymen, I’m sad tonight to see this part of us burn.”

7.55pm

French writer and historian Camille Pascal said the massive fire at Notre Dame has caused “the destruction of invaluable heritage” and “we can be only horrified by what we see”.

7.45pm

France Notre Dame fire
Hundreds gathered on the banks of the Seine (Thibault Camus/AP)

7.30pm

First responders are trying to salvage the art and other priceless pieces stored in the cathedral.

A spokesman said the entire wooden interior of the Notre Dame is burning and is likely to be destroyed.

7.20pm

Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s spire has collapsed (Thibault Camus/AP)

7.10pm

A church spokesman told French media that all of Notre Dame Cathedral’s frame is burning after the spire collapsed.

7.05pm

Part of the spire at Notre Dame has collapsed amid a raging fire.

6.40pm

Police in Paris said the cause of the fire remains unknown. No deaths have been reported.

6.30pm

French President Emmanuel Macron has postponed a televised speech to the nation because of the fire, and will head to the scene.