The historic old stock exchange building in Copenhagen, Denmark, has been engulfed by a devastating fire, with the iconic spire collapsing in flames. The 17th Century Børsen, one of the city’s oldest buildings, was undergoing renovations when the fire broke out, causing extensive damage to the structure.
Witnesses gasped as the spire of the building collapsed, and onlookers rushed to rescue valuable historic paintings from inside. Culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt lamented the loss of 400 years of Danish cultural heritage in the blaze.
The building, dating back to 1625, is located near Denmark’s parliament and is a significant part of the country’s history. The fire, whose cause is still unknown, made it difficult for emergency services to access the building due to the scaffolding surrounding it.
Members of the public, along with emergency services and chamber of commerce director Brian Mikkelsen, worked together to save the building’s art collection. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed sorrow at the destruction of a piece of Danish history.
The fire department chief described the operation as an “unparalleled tragedy,” with firefighters facing challenges in accessing the area under the old copper roof. King Frederik X also expressed sadness at the loss of such an important part of Denmark’s cultural heritage.
The Dutch Renaissance-style building, commissioned by King Christian IV, featured a distinctive spire with dragons and crowns symbolizing the country’s ties with neighboring nations. The fire has left a significant impact on the city of Copenhagen and its residents.
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