Notre Dame fire: 'now fully extinguished' blaze was probably accidental, French prosecutors say

Cathedral's structure can be saved - fire chiefFund raising drive launched after roof and spire collapsePictures emerge of the damage inside the landmark

Man makes a drawing of the Notre Dame cathedral after the fire in Paris. Experts are assessing the blackened shell of Paris' iconic Notre Dame cathedral to establish next steps. Photo: AP Photo/Christophe Ena

Matthias Blamont and Inti Landauro

THE fire that tore through Notre-Dame cathedral was probably caused by accident, French prosecutors said on Tuesday after firefighters doused the last flames in the ruins overnight.

More than 400 firemen were needed to tame the inferno that consumed the roof and collapsed the spire of the eight-centuries-old cathedral. They worked through the night to bring the fire under control some 14 hours after it began.