PARIS, April 16 — Notre-Dame Cathedral went up in flames yesterday in a roaring blaze that devastated the Parisian landmark, a searing loss for the city and for France.
Following is a timeline of events:
Around 6.50pm local time (1650 GMT):
Fire starts in roof of Notre-Dame cathedral, according to firefighters.
Around 7.07pm:
A Reuters journalist sees smoke and flames at Notre-Dame from a distance.
7.40pm:
Fire spreads to the giant spire of Notre-Dame cathedral.
French President Macron cancels planned TV address to the nation because of the blaze.
7.53pm:
Cathedral’s spire collapses.
7.59pm:
French president’s office says Macron is rushing to the scene.
8.07pm:
Entire roof of Notre-Dame collapses, according to a Reuters correspondent at the scene.
8.25pm:
Paris’ Ile de la Cité, the island on which Notre-Dame sits, is evacuated by police. — Reuters
