ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

Millions have been donated to rebuild the Notre Dame as a huge blaze destroyed parts of the centuries-old cathedral.

A fire chief in Paris confirmed the structure had been saved as a fire engulfed the 12th century landmark, causing its main spire and roof to collapse.

It was confirmed the blaze was under control just after 3am local time on Tuesday by up to 400 firefighters.

As fire crews were inside with cathedral workers trying to rescue treasures, others fought the inferno from outside. One fireman was seriously hurt, officials confirmed.

President Emmanuel Macron declared a national emergency as he addressed crowds on Monday evening outside Notre Dame.

He vowed to rebuild the historic landmark as French billionaires pledged tens of millions of euros to restore the cathedral.

Notre Dame Cathedral fire - In pictures 48 show all Notre Dame Cathedral fire - In pictures 1/48 Aerial image if Notre-Dame Cathedral fire AP 2/48 An image taken from a television screen shows an aerial view of the Notre-Dame Cathedral engulfed in flames. AFP/Getty Images 3/48 The steeple of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral collapses as the cathedral is engulfed in flames AFP/Getty Images 4/48 Smoke rises around the alter in front of the cross inside the Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 5/48 A man watches the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral burn AFP/Getty Images 6/48 People kneel on the pavement as they pray outside watching flames engulf Notre Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 7/48 Security forces evacuate artifacts from inside the Notre Dame cathedral Franck Riester 8/48 Security forces evacuate artifacts from inside the Notre Dame cathedral Franck Riester 9/48 Notre Dame cathedral burning in Paris AP 10/48 Seen from across the Seine River, smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris AFP/Getty Images 11/48 General view of the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral after a massive fire in Paris EPA 12/48 French President Emmanuel Macron (C) speaks with firemen as they fight against a fire burning the roof of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris EPA 13/48 Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris AFP/Getty Images 14/48 Flames on the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 15/48 The cathedral entrance shows smoke rising around the alter in front of the cross inside Reuters 16/48 People pray as Notre Dame cathedral burns in Paris AP 17/48 The Notre Dame cathedral spire collapses EPA 18/48 Flames as a fire engulfs the world famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 19/48 Smoke and flames billows into the sky as the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 20/48 Flames on the roof of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris EPA 21/48 Smoke billows into the sky as a fire rips through the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 22/48 The gothic cathedral attracks millions of tourists every year AFP/Getty Images 23/48 Smoke billows from the Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out Reuters 24/48 Bright orange flames lick the air during a fire at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 25/48 People kneel on the pavement as they pray and sing while flames engulf Notre Dame AFP/Getty Images 26/48 Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral Reuters 27/48 A fire fighter uses a hose as Notre Dame cathedral is burning in Paris AP 28/48 Smoke billows across Paris following the Notre Dame fire Reuters 29/48 Firefighters tackle the blaze as flames and smoke rise from Notre Dame cathedral as it burns. AP 30/48 General view of the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral after a massive fire in Paris EPA 31/48 French President Emmanuel Macron (C) and his wife Brigitte Macron (R) pay a visit to firemen fighting against a fire burning the roof of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, France EPA 32/48 A statue of Saint John is removed from the spire of Notre Dame cathedral by a crane before restoration work last week Reuters 33/48 Smoke billows as flames burn through the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 34/48 Flames are doused through the scaffolding erected on the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 35/48 Firefighters douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 36/48 Firefighters douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 37/48 People react as they watch flames engulf the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 38/48 A firefighter uses a hose to douse flames and smoke billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 39/48 Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris AFP/Getty Images 40/48 Firefighter douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 41/48 People look at smoke and flames rising during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 42/48 Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 43/48 People stand on the banks of the Seine river as they look at a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 44/48 The steeple collapses as smoke and flames engulf the Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 45/48 A woman reacts as she watches the flames engulf the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 46/48 Paris Fire brigade members are seen at an entrance that looks into the Notre Dame Cathedral Reuters 47/48 Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 48/48 The steeple engulfed in flames collapsing as the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral burns AFP/Getty Images 1/48 Aerial image if Notre-Dame Cathedral fire AP 2/48 An image taken from a television screen shows an aerial view of the Notre-Dame Cathedral engulfed in flames. AFP/Getty Images 3/48 The steeple of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral collapses as the cathedral is engulfed in flames AFP/Getty Images 4/48 Smoke rises around the alter in front of the cross inside the Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 5/48 A man watches the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral burn AFP/Getty Images 6/48 People kneel on the pavement as they pray outside watching flames engulf Notre Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 7/48 Security forces evacuate artifacts from inside the Notre Dame cathedral Franck Riester 8/48 Security forces evacuate artifacts from inside the Notre Dame cathedral Franck Riester 9/48 Notre Dame cathedral burning in Paris AP 10/48 Seen from across the Seine River, smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris AFP/Getty Images 11/48 General view of the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral after a massive fire in Paris EPA 12/48 French President Emmanuel Macron (C) speaks with firemen as they fight against a fire burning the roof of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris EPA 13/48 Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris AFP/Getty Images 14/48 Flames on the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 15/48 The cathedral entrance shows smoke rising around the alter in front of the cross inside Reuters 16/48 People pray as Notre Dame cathedral burns in Paris AP 17/48 The Notre Dame cathedral spire collapses EPA 18/48 Flames as a fire engulfs the world famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 19/48 Smoke and flames billows into the sky as the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 20/48 Flames on the roof of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris EPA 21/48 Smoke billows into the sky as a fire rips through the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 22/48 The gothic cathedral attracks millions of tourists every year AFP/Getty Images 23/48 Smoke billows from the Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out Reuters 24/48 Bright orange flames lick the air during a fire at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 25/48 People kneel on the pavement as they pray and sing while flames engulf Notre Dame AFP/Getty Images 26/48 Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral Reuters 27/48 A fire fighter uses a hose as Notre Dame cathedral is burning in Paris AP 28/48 Smoke billows across Paris following the Notre Dame fire Reuters 29/48 Firefighters tackle the blaze as flames and smoke rise from Notre Dame cathedral as it burns. AP 30/48 General view of the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral after a massive fire in Paris EPA 31/48 French President Emmanuel Macron (C) and his wife Brigitte Macron (R) pay a visit to firemen fighting against a fire burning the roof of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, France EPA 32/48 A statue of Saint John is removed from the spire of Notre Dame cathedral by a crane before restoration work last week Reuters 33/48 Smoke billows as flames burn through the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 34/48 Flames are doused through the scaffolding erected on the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 35/48 Firefighters douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 36/48 Firefighters douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 37/48 People react as they watch flames engulf the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 38/48 A firefighter uses a hose to douse flames and smoke billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 39/48 Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris AFP/Getty Images 40/48 Firefighter douse flames billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 41/48 People look at smoke and flames rising during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 42/48 Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 43/48 People stand on the banks of the Seine river as they look at a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 44/48 The steeple collapses as smoke and flames engulf the Notre-Dame Cathedral AFP/Getty Images 45/48 A woman reacts as she watches the flames engulf the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 46/48 Paris Fire brigade members are seen at an entrance that looks into the Notre Dame Cathedral Reuters 47/48 Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris AFP/Getty Images 48/48 The steeple engulfed in flames collapsing as the roof of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral burns AFP/Getty Images

The site is home to numerous paintings, sculptures and statues, a medieval organ and the stained-glass Rose Windows, which date back to the 13th century.

The relic of the crown of thorns and a number of priceless artefacts were taken from the cathedral to Paris City Hall for safekeeping, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo confirmed on Twitter.

"The crown of thorns, the tunic of Saint Louis and several other major works are now in a safe place," she said.

Mr Macron said he would be looking "beyond our borders" as a fundraising campaign got under way to restore the building.

In an emotional speech on Monday night, he said: "I am solemnly telling you tonight: this cathedral will be rebuilt by all of us together."

Describing Notre Dame as "our history" and "the epicentre of our lives", he added: "It's probably part of France's destiny and it will be our project for the years to come."

Francois-Henri Pinault, who is married to actress Salma Hayek, is quoted in the French media as saying he and his father, Francois, had decided to donate the money to help with the "complete reconstruction" of Notre Dame.

The younger Mr Pinault is chief executive of international luxury group Kering, which owns brands such as Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, and is the president of French holding company Groupe Artemis, which owns the Christie's auction house.

Meanwhile, France's Fondation du Patrimoine, a private organisation which works to protect French heritage, said it would be starting an international appeal.

It tweeted: "For our Lady to be reborn from her ashes we are launching an international appeal. All donations received will be paid in full to the restoration site."

Across the pond, the US-based French Heritage Society said it would be establishing a restoration fund, while several appeals have already been set up on crowdfunding sites such as Go Fund Me and Just Giving.

Concerns over the scale of the damage to Notre Dame came as expressions of grief were sent to Paris from around the world.

Prime Minister Theresa May sent her wishes to the French capital from her walking holiday with her husband in Wales, where she is spending the beginning of parliamentary recess.

"My thoughts are with the people of France tonight and with the emergency services who are fighting the terrible blaze at Notre Dame cathedral," she said.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump tweeted some advice for the Paris Fire Brigade, suggesting "flying water tankers" to put out the flames.

Former US President Barack Obama tweeted: “Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief. It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost – but it’s also in our nature to rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury said he was praying for "everyone in France and beyond who watches and weeps".

He tweeted: "Tonight we pray for the firefighters tackling the tragic NotreDame fire - and for everyone in France and beyond who watches and weeps for this beautiful, sacred place where millions have met with Jesus Christ."

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker described the fire as a "horror".

In a press release written in French, Mr Juncker said: "I am minute by minute the fire of which Notre-Dame de Paris is the prey.

"Our Lady of Paris belongs to the whole of mankind. What a sad spectacle. What a horror.

"I share the emotion of the French nation which is also ours."

The fire began on Monday evening, with first reports emerging of smoke in the cathedral shortly before 6pm.

The last visitors of the day were evacuated and the Paris Fire Brigade began to fight flames which had emerged from the cathedral's roof.

A French official said that while the source of the fire was unknown, it could be linked to renovation works to fix Notre Dame's historic stone walls and buttresses.

The fire first brought down the cathedral's 315ft (96m) spire, and has spread to one of its two towers, which form its famed frontage.

Flames could be seen bursting through the roof as smoke billows over the iconic site which attracts millions of tourists every year.

Notre Dame is one of the city's oldest and most recognisable buildings, and work began on it 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 - according to its official website, and it is believed to be the most visited structure in the French capital.

Its renovation works were estimated to cost around 150 million euro (£130 million).