A massive fire is ripping through Notre Dame cathedral in central Paris, toppling the spire on the 850-year-old Gothic monument and leaving France in shock over the potential loss of one of the nation's most famous landmarks.

Flames jumped up the ornate spire before it collapsed onto the blaze-engulfed roof, sending smoke billowing out into the evening skyline of the French capital. The historic church, located on one of two islands in the middle of the Seine River, had been under renovation and scaffolding had covered much of the top structure. The blaze began around 7 p.m. local time on Monday.

Blaze transfixed viewers around the world

Live television images of the blaze transfixed viewers around the world and French President Emmanuel Macron postponed a major speech as flames ravaged the cathedral that has towered over Paris for centuries. It had come through long-range German bombardment during World War I and was spared damage during World War II.