The blaze destroyed the building's roof, a spire, and one of it's two rectangular towers. The fire started at 6:50 Monday night, after the cathedral had closed to the public. Firefighters finally managed to extinguish the flames early Tuesday morning.
Luckily no one was killed, but two police officers and a firefighter were injured.
French president Emmanuel Macron said that the country's citizens must push through their sadness, and that a national fundraising campaign to restore the cathedral would be launched Tuesday. He called upon the world's "greatest talents" to help.
French businessmen immediately reacted, with Billionaire Bernard Arnault's family and his LMVH luxury goods group - which is behind Louis Vuitton — said that they would donate €200 million ($226 million). And Francois Henri Pinault, the head of Kering — which owns brands including Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent — vowed to donate €100 million ($113 million).
Paris City Hall said it would contribute €50 million ($56 million) to the rebuilding of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
A team of 50 investigators have been mobilized to determine the cause of the "accidental" blaze. They have started questioning witnesses and 15 construction workers who were at the site on Monday. But forensic police are still waiting to make sure that the structure is sound, after the fire destabilizing the building's structure.
Many of the most precious treasures inside the cathedral have been moved to a secret location, where they will hopefully be safe.
Many Architects are saying it will probably take at least 20 years to rebuild.