The Old Stock Exchange is burning in the Danish capital. People try to save art objects from the building. The top of the tower collapsed.
The spire of the building collapsed due to the fire.
Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix Denmark
“We have decided with our board that we will definitely rebuild the Børsen,” said Brian Mikkelsen, managing director of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, which is now located in the stock exchange and is also the owner of the building.
Historical art collection in the building
According to the fire department, the fire in the historic stock exchange in Copenhagen has engulfed more than half of the building. The spire and parts of the roof collapsed. Supporting structures were damaged. The fire department confirmed that part of the building was badly burned. Heavy smoke and high flames could be seen from the building. Copenhagen police expect the area to remain cordoned off for a long period of time. However, the emergency services initially did not expect the entire building to collapse.
The old stock exchange houses, among other things, a large art collection. Television footage on Tuesday morning showed people carrying away, among other things, historical paintings, including the work “From the Copenhagen Stock Exchange” by P. S. Krøyer. Other works of art were also saved. The amount of damage was initially unclear.
The building was completed in 1625 with a church tower and is one of the oldest buildings in Copenhagen. It is currently being restored and is therefore scaffolded. The restoration is intended to correct improper renovation of the building in the 19th century and restore the facade to its original appearance.
Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen wrote on X: “Terrible pictures from Børsen. So sad. An iconic building that means a lot to all of us. Our own Notre Dame moment.” A 400-year-old Danish cultural heritage is on fire, said Denmark’s Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt. King Frederik X wrote in a message about a sad sight. “An important part of our architectural heritage was and is still in flames.”
Fire and smoke rise from the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen on Tuesday.
Emil Helms / AP
Passers-by look at the fire from a safe distance.
Emil Helms / Imago