Several of the most sacred artefacts and objects housed at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris have been saved following a devastating fire – but the fates of others are still unclear.

The 850-year-old Gothic cathedral was home to dozens of objects of cultural and historical significance, including the Holy Crown of Thorns believed to have been worn by Jesus at his crucifixion and the tunic of Saint Louis.

There were also numerous sculptures, statues and paintings inside the cathedral depicting Biblical saints and scenes when the fire broke out.

While firefighters managed to save the most precious item, the crown of thorns, it is not known whether others may have perished or been damaged in the blaze.

The French Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday that “the walls have been preserved and at least 30 per cent of the artworks have been saved”, but the entire wooden structure, the spire and nearly 70 per cent of the artworks have gone forever.

A “human chain” was formed in a desperate bid to rescue as many items as possible after a fire broke out at the national monument at about 7pm on Monday.

Crowds of tourists watched on in horror as the blaze tore through the wooden roof of the landmark and the spire came crashing down to the ground.

More than 400 firefighters fought for 12 hours to bring the blaze under control as smoke billowed out into the night sky.

The fire claimed the roof and spire, but its twin bell towers were still visibly intact on Tuesday morning.

(Statista)

French president Emmanuel Macron vowed to rebuild the world-famous building, and within hours the rival billionaire owners of France’s two biggest luxury fashion empires pledged €300m between them.

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The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, however it is being treated as an accident and Paris public prosecutor said on Tuesday that there were no obvious signs of arson.