Denmark, fire breaks out at the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen: famous spire collapses

A fire broke out in the building of the Old Copenhagen Stock Exchange, known as Børsen. The building, dating back to 1625, is one of the oldest in the Danish capital. Its iconic spire collapsed, engulfed in flames. This was reported by the newspaper Berlingske. Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said that 400 years of Danish cultural heritage had gone up in flames. The building, a stone's throw from the Danish parliament, the Folketing, and the royal palace, Christiansborg, was completely evacuated, as was the square in front of it.

The building was currently being restored and was therefore surrounded by scaffolding. The collapsed spire depicted four dragons whose tails twisted and were symbolically said to protect against enemies and fire. Rescue workers are working to save the large paintings and other valuables contained in the building. Until 1974, the building housed the Copenhagen Stock Exchange, while today it is owned by the Danish Chamber of Commerce Dansk Erhverv.

"This is our Notre Dame". A witness, Henrik Grage, told Danish television, commenting on the fire that broke out this morning in the Old Stock Exchange building in Copenhagen and comparing it to the fire that engulfed the roof and spire of the cathedral in central Paris in 2019. "It is a tragic day," he added, as reported by the BBC.