A devastating fire has engulfed Copenhagen’s old stock exchange, a historic landmark in the Danish capital. The fire caused the spire of the building to collapse, as staff and citizens rushed to rescue valuable paintings and artefacts from the blaze.
The CEO of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, Brian Mikkelsen, expressed deep sadness over the loss, describing it as a “huge disaster” that has destroyed 400 years of cultural history. Stunned onlookers watched as the fire consumed the building’s distinctive spire, shaped like the tail of four entwined dragons, before it collapsed into the street below.
Passersby and emergency services worked together to save valuable items from inside the burning building, including a painting by Danish artist Peder Severin Krøyer. Denmark’s Deputy Prime Minister likened the fire to the Notre Dame tragedy, emphasizing the cultural significance of the building.
The fire, which started in the morning, has already destroyed nearly half of the building, with efforts to extinguish it ongoing. The Chamber of Commerce expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the historic building and its contents, calling it a “great tragedy” for the country.
Authorities have urged people to avoid the area, and thankfully, there have been no reported injuries so far. Military personnel are assisting with firefighting efforts, as emergency services work to control the blaze that has spread throughout the building.
The Børsen building, at the heart of Danish business since the 17th century, holds immense cultural heritage that has now been damaged. The building, dating back to 1625, was undergoing renovations at the time of the fire.
As the fire continues to burn, emergency services are facing challenges in extinguishing it due to the structure of the building. Machines have been called in to remove parts of the roof, as the water struggles to penetrate the copper material.
The Prime Minister of Denmark described the fire as a loss of “Danish history,” emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of the building’s cultural heritage. The country mourns the loss of this iconic landmark and the valuable artefacts it housed.
