In this combination of photos, flames and smoke rise as the spire on the Notre Dame Cathedral collapses. Photo / AP
Moise and Andrea Cerson sat and watched from Hawke's Bay as the spire of the cathedral they used to map their city fell to a rampaging fire.
The 850-year-old famous Notre Dame cathedral was all but gutted in a massive blaze which broke out around 6.50pm on Monday (local time).
Its spire and roof have collapsed but the main structure has been saved and the fire has been stopped from spreading to the northern belfry.
Owners of Ya Bon French Baker, Hastings' husband-and-wife duo Moise and Andrea Cerson said they, like so many in the French community, felt a deep sense of sadness seeing the pictures and video of Notre Dame going up in flames.