'Paris is disfigured': Tears and shock as historic Notre-Dame Cathedral engulfed by flames

A huge fire swept through the roof of the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday evening, sending flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the sky.

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Crowds of stunned Parisians and tourists - some crying, others offering prayers - watched on in horror in central Paris on Monday evening as flames engulfed the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Gasps and cries of "Oh my god" erupted at 7:50 pm when the top portion of the church's spire came crashing down into an inferno that has spread to the entire roof.