Heart-wrenching photos show people reacting to Notre-Dame Cathedral fire

Thousands of onlookers in Paris watched as a massive fire engulfed the Notre-Dame Cathedral on Monday.

Scroll down for a look at these dramatic photos showing the wide range of emotions on display as firefighters attempted to extinguish the devastating blaze. 

The main structure of the cathedral in central Paris was saved after firefighters battled the inferno for hours, the city's top fire official said late Monday. The two 69-metre bell towers remained intact but the cathedral's spire and roof were destroyed.

Relief is mixed with uncertainty over just how much irreplaceable history and culture went up in flames.

Here, people kneel on the pavement to pray as they watch flames engulf the historic cathedral.

Firefighters in Paris declared success Tuesday morning after a more than 12-hour battle to extinguish the blaze.

Below, people make drawings of the Notre-Dame Cathedral following Monday's fire.

Experts are assessing the blackened shell of the iconic cathedral to establish the next steps to save what remains and to ensure the structural integrity of the building.

Officials, like French Junior Interior Minister Laurent Nunez speaking to the press below, have vowed to rebuild the cathedral, with French President Emmanuel Macron announcing an international fundraising campaign to reconstruct the iconic piece of Paris's history.