As of: April 17, 2024 1:04 p.m
The fire at the historic stock exchange in Copenhagen is under control. Half the building burned out, including the iconic trading floor. The cause of the fire in one of the city’s landmarks remains unclear, but no one was injured.
After the devastating fire in the city’s 400-year-old landmark, many are in deep shock. “I’ve known this building my whole life. I drive past here almost every day. The fact that the stock exchange, of all places, burned down during renovations really affected me,” says a passer-by. “It reminds me of when Notre Dame burned in Paris. It’s terrible to see.”
AUDIO: Fire in the Copenhagen Stock Exchange: “Terrible to watch” (4 min)
King Frederik X thanks those who helped
King Frederik X of Denmark thanked the emergency services and those helping the civilian population on Tuesday. “To this day, we viewed the historic building as a beautiful landmark of our capital that we were proud of,” the statement said. “The Queen and I would like to thank everyone who has ensured since morning that no one was injured and who have fought to save as much of the building as possible and the cultural treasures and art paintings from the building.”
However, the cause of the fire that suddenly broke out on Tuesday morning remains unclear. Half of the stock exchange was more or less burned down, it was said. Around 135 forces were deployed. The spire of the building collapsed due to the fire. Load-bearing elements were destroyed. Nobody got hurt.
The fire broke out around 7:30 a.m. and also damaged structural parts of the building.
The fire in the historic building in downtown Copenhagen broke out in the early hours of Tuesday. High flames and huge clouds of smoke rose from the old stock exchange for hours. The 400-year-old spire collapsed due to the fire. The fire department said on Tuesday that extinguishing the fire was also difficult because of the copper roof. Around 120 firefighters and around 60 helpers from the armed forces were on duty.
In the evening the fire was under control – but far from being extinguished, as Frank Trier Mikkelsen, spokesman for the emergency services, explained: “We managed to prevent the fire from spreading to one half of the building. We’re still there right now Firefighters to prevent it from starting to burn there. In the other half we are still trying to put out the fire and that takes time – because it is difficult to get to – so far we can only extinguish it from the outside. Half the building burned out, including the iconic trading floor. Only the outer walls could withstand the flames. Now it’s up to the emergency services to prevent this part of the historic stock exchange from collapsing.
Even passersby helped save art objects from the flames
Even passersby help save paintings from the historic stock exchange in Copenhagen from the fire.
The former stock exchange is one of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings and one of the city’s landmarks. It is currently being restored and is therefore equipped with scaffolding. Today the trade and employers’ association has its headquarters there next to the Danish Stock Exchange. The building contains a large art collection with paintings by the Norwegian-Danish painter Peder Severin Krøyer. Several paintings were rescued from the burning building. Television footage showed people carrying away historical paintings, among other things.
Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said it was touching that even passers-by rushed to help the emergency services rescue art objects. Chamber of Commerce President Brian Mikkelsen also lent a hand. He spoke of a national catastrophe.
“Unser Notre-Dame-Moment”
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 burning.”
Prime Minister Frederiksen: “It hurts to see that”
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was also dismayed by the fire at the old stock exchange. A piece of Danish history is on fire there, Frederiksen wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. The stock exchange is one of the most iconic buildings in the capital, a symbol of 400 years of economic history in Denmark and an irreplaceable cultural heritage. The pictures of the fire are terrible. “It hurts to see this,” she wrote.
Mayors pledge their support for the reconstruction of the historic stock exchange
The seven mayors of Copenhagen have pledged their support for the reconstruction of the historic stock exchange. They will do everything possible to support this, it said in a joint statement. “The building is simply vital for Copenhagen and the entire cultural history of Denmark.” Copenhagen has a mayor, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, and six specialist mayors.
Cause not yet clarified
It was initially unclear how the fire started. The streets around the building were cordoned off. People in the neighboring parliament building were asked to keep windows and doors closed. Employees should stay at home.
The historic stock exchange – here in a photo from 2021. In the middle: the now collapsed 56 meter high tower with the four twisted dragon tails.
The building near the Danish parliament, Christiansborg Palace, served as a stock exchange until the 1970s, and is now the headquarters of the Danish Chamber of Commerce. According to them, the fire broke out around 7:30 a.m.
vfdb: Major fire in Copenhagen highlights the sensitivity of cultural assets
According to the President of the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb), Dirk Aschenbrenner, the major fire once again highlighted the sensitivity of old buildings. “Even a small, limited fire can quickly become a catastrophe, as was shown by the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris exactly five years ago,” said Aschenbrenner. At the same time, the accident shows the need to protect our old cultural assets as best as possible. In this context, the vfdb president pointed out a recently concluded cooperation agreement with the association of restorers.
Further information
Danish modern historian Karl Christian Lammers explains the significance of the burned historic building and what was saved from it. more
Five years ago today the church was on fire. It is scheduled to reopen on December 8, 2024. Over 2,000 people are working on reconstruction. more
At the beginning of Holy Week, tragedy strikes France: a fire has devastated parts of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Many people were there – crying or praying. more
The Notre Dame fire shocked people around the world. There are countless reasons for the reconstruction that has already been decided. NDR Kultur is limited to ten. more
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NDR Culture | The Morning | April 16, 2024 | 9:20 a.m