Spire of iconic 1,000-year-old French landmark cathedral is on fire in shocking scenes

The spire of an iconic 1,000-year-old French landmark cathedral is on fire in shocking scenes.

A security cordon is currently in place around the gothic cathedral in Rouen, Normandy. The site is perhaps best known for being painted multiple times by Claude Monet in the 19th century.

Images and clips on social media shows smoke billowing from what appears to be a scaffolding canopy on top of the famed building.

It caught fire today. (X/@KaplanBen_Fr)

The city's mayor, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, wrote on X this afternoon (11 July): "A fire has started on the spire of Rouen Cathedral. Origin unknown at this stage. All public resources are mobilised."

Officials say the cathedral has been evacuated and emergency services are attending the scene.

It is reported that the blaze began in a section of the gothic cathedral where building works were taking place.

For the past several weeks, the spire has been surrounded by scaffolding and a white cover as users on X say it's been undergoing 'repair'.

A broadcast from the scene on BFM TV showed the dark plume of smoke rising from Rouen Cathedral's spire as locals watch on from the streets below in horror of the iconic landmark's situation.

The cathedral has been evacuated. (X)

The outlet also reported that a whopping 33 fire engines and 63 firefighters were in attendance as transport in the area is disrupted.

It is indicated the flames have now been distinguished as the dark smoke seems to reduce.

This fire in Normandy comes five years after a massive blaze notoriously toppled the spire and destroyed the roof of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

That incident shocked the world with the terrible scenes being streamed globally as emergency services battled with the devastating fire.

Now, the Notre Dame is still being restored but committed staff have been working in the hopes it will finally be completed on 8 December, 2024.