Notre Dame’s golden altar cross glistens in the gloom as it becomes symbol of hope after blaze guts 850-year-old cathedral

NOTRE DAME'S golden altar cross is seen glowing among the ashes in a symbol of hope after a massive inferno ripped through the 850-year-old cathedral.

The hopeful image comes after fears the entire Parisienne landmark would be destroyed as the blaze gutted parts of the Gothic structure last night.

A golden altar cross was seen glowing amongst the ashes after the devastating fire ripped through Notre Dame last nightCredit: BackGrid

Parts of the iconic cathedral's roof and spire were destroyed in the fireCredit: BackGrid

The spire, built in the 19th century, has been destroyed by the infernoCredit: AFP or licensors

Shocking pics show the hole in the church's roof todayCredit: WENN

It is not known exactly how much it will cost to repair the iconic Paris landmarkCredit: WENN

President Emmanuel Macron last night vowed to rebuild the 12th century structure as he thanked firefighters for rushing to the scene and forming a "human chain" to pull some of the landmark's most precious relics to safety.

Millions of pounds have already been donated to help rebuild the cathedral, including from Salma Hayek's French billionaire husband Francois-Henri Pinault and Bernard Arnault.

Photographs this morning show emergency services dousing the church with water after battling throughout the night, with at least one of the upper rose windows melted in the inferno's heat.

Among the most precious relics saved is the item venerated as the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus Christ - considered Paris’s equivalent of the Crown Jewels.

Paris firefighters this morning confirmed the blaze had been fully extinguished, with the main structure saved.

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:

Huge blaze broke out at 850-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral on Monday afternoon
The structure's 300ft spire collapsed and Gothic roof turned to ash in the ferocious blaze
400 firefighters battled inferno, managing to save the main structure and rescue Jesus' Crown of Thorns
Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into what caused the blaze
President Emmanuel Macron said 'We will rebuild' as Paris mourned loss

WHAT CAUSED THE BLAZE?

French prosecutors launched an immediate investigation into the cause of the fire, although arson has been ruled out.

It is believed a "stray flame" linked to £5million renovation work sparked the inferno in the loft that saw plumes of black smoke billow into the sky.

An emergency service source said: "It appears that it all began as a relatively small fire linked to a stray flame in the roof.

"The fire was so high up that it was difficult to get to, meaning it soon spread across the roof, causing a terrible blaze."

Scaffolding which had been set up around the building has been decimated along with large parts of the cathedral itself, including the 300ft spire, which dates back to the mid-19th Century.

Two police officers and one firefighter were slightly wounded as they responded to the blaze.

Firefighters today announced the blaze had finally been completely put outCredit: WENN

Firemen assess the damage to the cathedral this morningCredit: EPA

Firemen enter Notre Dame last night as smoke is seen rising around the altarCredit: Reuters

Firefighters sent a robot into the building last night amid fears of a roof collapseCredit: Rex Features

A firefighter shines a light into the ash-filled cathedralCredit: BackGrid

Hundreds of firefighters battled through the night to save the cathedralCredit: Rex Features

The blaze tore through the roof as horrified locals and tourists watched

The structure was left smouldering this morning after the blazeCredit: Reuters

Large parts of the Gothic gem were destroyedCredit: Reuters

The first pictures of the cathedral this morningCredit: AFP or licensors

Firefighters battled long into the night to tackle the blaze at Notre Dame CathedralCredit: Reuters

Officials in Paris feared the blaze could have destroyed the 850-year-old medieval churchCredit: Sky.IT

Emergency services worked throughout the night to control the blazeCredit: BackGrid

'WE WILL REBUILD'

President Emmanuel Macron, who went to the scene at the height of the blaze last night, promised: "We will rebuild".

Addressing crowds outside the burning landmark, he announced a public fund to collect donations for the building works.

He said: "The fire will go on for several days. I would like to thank the firefighters on behalf of the nation.

"At this time, the worst has been avoided.

"Notre Dame is our history, our imagination, where we've lived all our great moments, and is the epicentre of our lives.

"It's the story of our books, our paintings. It's the cathedral for all French people, even if they have never been. But it is burning and I know this sadness will be felt by all of our citizens."

Last night, Bishop Philippe Marsset was given permission to examine the building, saying it was "like a bombing".

He told France 24: "There was melted lead falling everywhere."

Describing the golden cross seen glowing, he added: "Hell, fire, the cross, all in one image."

This morning, experts are expected to begin their investigations into whether the structure is still stable.

It came as world leaders - from Theresa May to Angela Merkel - paid tribute to the symbol of France.

The Pope also shared a message of support, saying he was shocked and saddened by the fire that ripped through the cathedral.

Pictures show that a turret on the cathedral has collapsed

Dramatic pictures show the church's iconic spire collapsingCredit: AFP or licensors

The statue under the gold cross, pictured before the fire, that sits under the cross that survived the blazeCredit: Getty - Contributor

A photograph of the cross that survived the fire before the tragedy unfoldedCredit: Alamy

At the height of the blaze, Paris authorities admitted getting firefighters to the top of the building “was almost impossible.”

“It’s much too high up, and the only access is stone and spiral staircases – getting fire fighting crews up there is impossible,” said a source.

Firefighters were seen on mounted platforms in an attempt to reach some of the highest points of the fire.

The wooden frame of the church, nicknamed “The Forest”, is “incredibly flammable” according to Notre Dame expert Daniel Christian.

In total, it contains around 1,300 trees and is believed to have contributed to the blaze spreading so quickly.

An emergency services source said that a water drop via plane or helicopter "was impossible" because the weight of the water dropped at low altitude would weaken the building and cause "extreme damage."

"Everything is collapsing," a cop near the scene said as the entire roof of the cathedral continued to burn.

Two firefighters stand inside one of the halls of the cathedralCredit: EPA

The main hall of the cathedral before the fire, in comparison to the devastating picture aboveCredit: Alamy

Firefighters can be seen at the doorway of the cathedralCredit: BackGrid

The fire has spread quickly and the entire wooden interior of the church was burning, an official saidCredit: Getty - Contributor

An aerial picture of the troubled cathedral which marks the centre of ParisCredit: AFP or licensors

Part of the cathedral's Gothic roof collapsed during the horrific blazeCredit: Reuters

Firefighters enter the ancient building in Paris which contains priceless art workCredit: Reuters

President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte pay a visit to firemen fighting against the infernoCredit: EPA

The blaze has been linked to restoration work which is taking place at the cathedralCredit: EPA

The scaffolding can be seen still standing around the structureCredit: AFP or licensors

Much of the Gothic structure appeared to be burnt outCredit: AFP or licensors

A fire fighter can be seen trying to get to flamesCredit: EPA

LOCALS CRY IN THE STREET

Locals and tourists alike were last night left stunned as they watched the flames take a hold of the iconic structure.

New York tourists Laura and Kareem Cowart said: “It is a tragedy. The art. What’s inside. You can never replace it.”

Locals broke out in singing prayers in multiple places nearby.

One pulled up the words of a song dedicated to the Notre Dame, as tears rolled down his face.

“My heart bleeds,” said Bertrand, a finance executive. “I was at home when I heard the news. I’m here now praying with strangers.”

In the wake of the inferno, the Queen today sent a message to the President of France.

She said: "Prince Philip and I have been deeply saddened to see the images of the fire which has engulfed Notre-Dame Cathedral.

"I extend my sincere admiration to the emergency services who have risked their lives to try to save this important national monument.

"My thoughts and prayers are with those who worship at the Cathedral and all of France at this difficult time.

"Elizabeth R."

The Metropolitan Museum of Art also released a statement, saying: "Notre Dame Cathedral is the very soul of Paris but so much more -- it is a touchstone for all that is the best about the world, and a monument to the highest aspirations of artistic achievement that transcends religion and time.

"It has survived so much -- from the French Revolution to Nazi occupation—to watch its devastation is excruciating."

Notre Dame fire - An emotional crowd sings hymns in unity 300 yards from the ablaze Paris cathedral

Firefighters douse flames billowing from the roof as Eiffel Tower shines a light onto the famous cathedralCredit: AP:Associated Press

Firefighters, police, and churchmen risked their lives last night to carry priceless historical artefacts and religious relics away from the flames

Notre Dame was home to a number of priceless artefacts, rushed away from the blaze

The Mayor of Paris tweeted her thanks to first responders for forming 'a formidable human chain' to save irreplaceable objects

Our Lady of Paris: A history of Notre Dame

One of the city's oldest and most recognisable buildings, work began on Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral in 1163.
The original structure was completed nearly 200 years later, in 1345, and its name literally translates to "Our Lady of Paris".
Some 13 million people now visit the Catholic landmark every year - more than 30,000 every day on average.
It is believed to be the most visited structure in the French capital.
The first stone of the original structure was laid in front of Pope Alexander III after the Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully, proposed the cathedral after his election in 1160.
It grew iconic in popular culture through several artistic works, including the Victor Hugo novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which was published in 1831 and adapted by Disney in 1996.
The spire, which collapsed during the devastating fire, has undergone several changes in the building's history.
The 13th century spire was dismantled during the French Revolution and later rebuilt in the 1860s.
The cathedral's stained glass rose windows – at least one of which has been destroyed by the blaze - are also some of its most architecturally significant features.
A brass plate set in stone outside the building also marks "Point Zero" in Paris, the centre of the city.
It is the point in France from where all distances to Paris are measured.
A message engraved around the stone reads: "Point zero des routes de France".