A fire tore through one of Copenhagen’s most iconic landmarks, the historic Børsen, or stock exchange building. Dating back to the 17th century, this architectural gem has stood as a part to Denmark history and culture for over 400 years.
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The fire began around 8:30 a.m. local time and spread quickly consuming nearly half of the building within hours.
Emergency responders worked to contain the blaze, but the intense flames made it difficult to control. People watched as the building’s distinctive 56-meter spire, shaped like the tail of four entwined dragons, collapsed into the street below.
Plumes of black smoke billowed from the building visible from miles around, as firefighters battled the inferno.
Emergency services including firefighters and military personnel, rushed to the scene to assist in rescue efforts.
All occupants of the building were safely evacuated, but the damage to the structure and its contents was extensive.
Brave individuals including employees of the Danish Chamber of Commerce and members of the public risked their lives to save historic paintings and artifacts from the burning building.
The Børsen building, commissioned by King Christian IV in the Dutch Renaissance style, has been a symbol of Danish commerce and culture since its completion in 1625.
Over the centuries, it has housed the Danish stock exchange and served as a center for trade and business in Copenhagen.
Its iconic spire adorned with four dragons’ tails and three crowns has long been recognized as a symbol of the city and its rich history.
The building’s destruction represents a loss for Denmark, with Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said “400 years of Danish cultural heritage in flames.”
The Børsen building was undergoing renovations at the time of the fire, with scaffolding and coverings shrouding its facade.
The renovation was to restore the building’s original appearance, correcting previous work carried out in the 19th century.
The fire at Børsen draws comparisons to the blaze that took place in Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris five years earlier, on April 15, 2019. Like Notre-Dame, which was also undergoing renovations at the time of the fire, Børsen was surrounded by scaffolding.
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Denmark’s Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the fire as the country’s own “Notre Dame moment.”
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed her sorrow at the terrible images and pledged support for recovery efforts.
Local residents, businesses, and cultural institutions have offered assistance and resources to aid in the rebuilding process.
As firefighters work to extinguish the remaining flames and secure the site, investigators will begin the task of determining the cause of the fire.
The damage to the building may complicate the investigation, but authorities are committed to uncovering the truth behind this event.
Denmark’s Culture Minister, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, said the loss of 400 years of Danish cultural heritage. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the event as a “piece of Danish history” going up in flames.
The Børsen building, built in the Dutch Renaissance style, is Denmark’s stock exchange and later housed the Danish Chamber of Commerce.
Situated near the Danish Parliament, the building underwent renovations aimed at restoring its original facade.
The fire prompted the evacuation of nearby buildings, including parts of Christiansborg Palace and the Ministry of Finance.
People gathered as black smoke billowed from the historic structure witnessing the collapse of its dragon-tail spire. Emergency services including over 120 firefighters and military personnel worked to contain the blaze.
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