Fire engulfs Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral

Photography

A massive fire engulfed the historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris April 15, destroying the 12^th-century church’s roof and spire. The cathedral housed many Catholic artifacts, relics and works of art.

Images:

Flames and smoke billow from the Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out in Paris April 15. (CNS photo by Benoit Tessier, Reuters)

A firefighter battles flames inside Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out in the iconic Paris structure April 15. (CNS photo by B.Moser©BSPP handout via Reuters)

Flames and smoke billow from the Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out April 15. (CNS photo by Benoit Tessier, Reuters)

Flames and smoke are seen as the interior continues to burn inside the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris April 16. (CNS photo by Philippe Wojazer, Reuters pool)

Smoke rises around the altar in front of the cross inside the Notre Dame Cathedral as a fire continues to burn April 16. (CNS photo by Philippe Wojazer, Reuters pool)

French President Emmanuel Macron, center right, and his wife, Brigitte, walk outside Notre Dame Cathedral after it suffered heavy damage from a fire April 15. (CNS photo by Philippe Wojazer pool via Reuters)

Firefighters inspect Notre Dame Cathedral April 16. (CNS photo by Paul Haring)

A young man holding a rosary prays in front of Notre Dame Cathedral April 16. (CNS photo by Paul Haring)

Flowers are seen on the ledge of a bridge near Notre Dame Cathedral April 16. (CNS photo by Paul Haring)

The Notre Dame Cathedral is seen at night in Paris Nov. 28, 2016. (CNS photo by Charles Platiau, Reuters)

Altar servers process out after Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris Nov. 15, 2015. (CNS photo by Paul Haring)

Flames and smoke billow from the Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out in Paris April 15. (CNS photo by Benoit Tessier, Reuters)

Flames and smoke billow from the Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out in Paris April 15. (CNS photo by Reuters TV)

Flames and smoke billow from the Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out in Paris April 15. (CNS photo by Benoit Tessier, Reuters)

Smoke rises around the altar inside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris as a fire continues to smolder early April 16. (CNS photo by Philippe Wojazer, Reuters)

A firefighter inspects Notre Dame Cathedral April 16. (CNS photo by Paul Haring)

A man holds a rosary outside Notre Dame Cathedral April 16. (CNS photo by Yves Herman, Reuters)

Firefighters are seen in front of Notre Dame Cathedral April 16. (CNS photo by Paul Haring)

People pray in front of Notre Dame Cathedral April 16. (CNS photo by Paul Haring)

One of the rosette windows of Notre Dame Cathedral is seen scorched April 16. (CNS photo by Paul Haring)

Firefighters inspect Notre Dame Cathedral April 16. (CNS photo by Paul Haring)

An onlooker takes a cellphone photo of Notre Dame Cathedral April 16. (CNS photo by Paul Haring)

Firefighters inspect one of the rosette windows of Notre Dame Cathedral April 16. (CNS photo by Yves Herman, Reuters)

Rosette windows of Notre Dame Cathedral are seen April 16. (CNS photo by Paul Haring)

Debris surrounds a depiction of the Pieta by Nicolas Coustou in Notre Dame Cathedral April 16. (CNS photo by Christophe Petit Tesson pool via Reuters)