A fire broke out at Paris’ iconic Notre Dame Cathedral on April 15 at around 7 pm local time. The blaze is believed to have erupted because of the renovation works underway at the historic site. The top part of the spire and the clock of the Notre Dame de Paris cathedral have collapsed because of the fire.

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is one of the most recognized symbols of France and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its foundation stone was laid in 1163 and the construction was completed in the 13th century. One of the world’s most priceless relics, Jesus Christ’s Crown of Thorns, which was brought to the cathedral in August 1239, was miraculously saved. 

Heartbreaking photos showing the fiery destruction of the 850-year-old historic cathedral can be viewed in this gallery.