Large-scale rescue operation after fire breaks out at famous landmark in France

The tower of Rouen Cathedral, one of France’s most famous landmarks, has caught fire, the city’s mayor said.

Images are circulating on social media showing flames apparently emanating from scaffolding near the top of the historic building.

Rescue workers are currently evacuating the cathedral. The extent of the damage and the cause of the fire have yet to be determined.

“A fire has broken out on the tower of Rouen Cathedral. The origin of the fire is currently unknown. All public resources are being mobilised,” wrote the city’s mayor, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, on X.

Stephane Gouezec of the Seine-Maritime fire service later said the fire had been located in a tower that was being renovated and that emergency services were working to ensure there were no more “hotspots”.

However, he told reporters that the risk of flame spread was low because the fire broke out in an area that was mostly metal.

The cathedral is famous for its three towers, which represent different architectural periods spanning several centuries.

Rouen Cathedral occupies an important place in art history as it was the subject of numerous paintings by the famous French impressionist Claude Monet in the 19th century.

Television footage from BFM TV showed a dark cloud of smoke rising from the tower while onlookers in the streets below looked up in horror.

The network reported that 33 fire trucks and 63 firefighters were dispatched to the scene and that public transport in the area was disrupted.

Made of cast iron, the tower is 151 metres high and is one of the tallest in Europe. It is also the tallest in France.

The 12th-century cathedral is one of Rouen’s biggest tourist attractions. It is of great historical importance and served as the coronation site for the Dukes of Normandy.

Within its walls is a tomb containing the heart of Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionheart, who reigned as King of England from 1189 until his death in 1199.