The spire of Rouen cathedral in northern France caught fire on Thursday, triggering a swift response from firefighters. Eyewitness Patrick Waeselynck reported that people enjoying the weather outside "and we hear, “Fire!” and I turn around and I see the cathedral spire, the tarpaulin that was protecting the restoration work, which was burning, big flames, black smoke." He then rushed to alert police officers that the tarpaulin surrounding the spire was alight.