Fire engulfs Notre Dame cathedral in Paris

A fire broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo urged residents of the French capital to stay away from the security perimeter around the Gothic-style church.

Paris: A fire broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says firefighters are trying to contain the "terrible fire".

An AP reporter at the scene of Monday's fire said the roof at the back of the cathedral, behind the nave, was in flames and yellow-brown smoke and ash fill the sky.

Hidalgo urged residents of the French capital to stay away from the security perimeter around the Gothic-style church.

The mayor says city officials are in touch with Roman Catholic diocese in Paris.