A serious fire broke out this morning in the roof and top floor of the legendary Ritz hotel in Paris, with plumes of smoke visible across the French capital, The Independent reported.

Initial reports suggest the entire top floor has been destroyed just weeks from the hotel's scheduled reopening after a major renovation project, while people were evacuated from nearby buildings.

Around 15 fire engines responded on the scene, and a fire service spokesman told BFM TV a "large" part of the five-star hotel was affected.

Captain Yvon Bot, a spokesman for the Paris fire brigade, said: "No one has been hurt...Our concern is to stop the fire spreading to the whole of the roof and seventh floor."

Source: MENA