The spire of Rouen Cathedral is on fire. Pictures show smoke rising above the northern French city. Flames are shooting out of the scaffolding around the spire.

The cause of the fire at Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption is unknown, says Nicolas Meyer-Rossignol, mayor of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption. XThe tower was already under scaffolding for a major restoration.

The cathedral has been evacuated and the area around the building has been cordoned off. Emergency services are on the scene.

The church is one of the largest cathedrals in France. The Gothic building is world famous and appears in several paintings by the French painter Claude Monet.

Parts of the building date back to the 12th century. The construction was completed in 1880.

The fire is reminiscent of the sea of ​​flames at Notre Dame in Paris. On April 15, 2019, flames raged from the world-famous cathedral throughout the evening. Television viewers around the world watched live as the massive spire collapsed.

Shortly afterwards, President Macron visited the church and promised: We will completely rebuild Notre Dame in five years. There was ridicule and criticism, but the promise was kept.

The French judiciary still does not know exactly what caused the fire that occurred five years ago.