Copenhagen – Columns of smoke over Copenhagen: A fire breaks out in one of the city’s most famous and oldest buildings. The historic stock exchange is ablaze.
While emergency services tirelessly save what can still be saved, the striking spire of the 400-year-old tourist attraction collapses in front of numerous passers-by. According to the fire department, the fire was under control in the afternoon, but the question of the cause remains. Around 135 forces were deployed.
The damage is also extensive from the inside: the fire department confirmed that important load-bearing structures had been destroyed. However, the emergency services initially did not expect the entire stock exchange to collapse. The fire department said half of the stock exchange was more or less burned down.
According to the information, the fire had already engulfed around half of the huge building by mid-morning. “We are very aware of the risk of collapse,” said Frank Mikkelsen from the fire department when asked by the German Press Agency. The part of the building closer to Parliament was particularly affected by intense fire. The emergency services fought the flames for hours, but were able to prevent it from spreading to the other part.
The destruction of one of its most important and best-known buildings is a shock for the country. 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 piece of Danish history on fire”
He was referring to the devastating fire in the Paris cathedral. A fire broke out there almost exactly five years ago – on April 15, 2019 – which almost completely destroyed the roof of the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral. Pictures of it went around the world.
“Terrible images we are seeing right now. A piece of Danish history in flames,” wrote Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Instagram. “The Stock Exchange is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic buildings. A symbol of 400 years of business history in Denmark. Irreplaceable cultural heritage. It hurts to see that.”
King Frederik X wrote in a message about a sad sight. “An important part of our architectural heritage was and is still in flames.” The striking dragon’s peak, which has now collapsed, helped shape the cityscape and helped define Copenhagen as the “City of Towers”. The 56 meter high tower, which depicted four intertwined dragon tails, is considered a landmark of the city.
The old stock exchange, which is now home to the Danish Chamber of Commerce, which also owns the building, houses a large art collection. Among them is the work “From the Copenhagen Stock Exchange” by PS Krøyer. It was carried away by several people during the fire.
Stock exchange should be rebuilt
According to the fire department, the emergency services tried to bring the cultural treasures to safety with the support of the royal army. But employees also helped save the art objects. So does Brian Mikkelsen, head of the Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a terrible day. A tragedy. One of the saddest days of my life,” he said. “Years of history and art in flames. It is not only a tragedy for the Danish Chamber of Commerce, but for Denmark as a nation.”
“We have decided with our board that we will definitely rebuild the Børsen,” Mikkelsen continued. The extent of the damage and the cause of the fire were initially unclear.
Because of the fire, a wing of Christiansborg Palace was also evacuated in the morning. Several MPs and journalists have their offices there. The so-called Provianthuset is located between the castle and the Royal Library. The Copenhagen police announced on X that they would evacuate the buildings from the Ministry of Finance towards the water.
Dragons were supposed to protect against fire
The historic stock exchange is located on the eastern tip of the island of Slotsholmen. The building was completed in 1625 with a church tower. It was built in the Dutch Renaissance style on the orders of King Christian IV to transform Copenhagen into a financial and commercial center.
According to the Danish Chamber of Commerce, it has not been used as a stock exchange for a long time. It is currently being restored and is therefore scaffolded. The restoration was intended to correct an improper renovation of the building in the 19th century and restore the facade to its original appearance.
It was Christian IV’s wish to have a tower built on the Børsen with a lead top and four dragons with twisted tails, the seven mayors wrote on Tuesday. “The dragons were supposed to protect Børsen from enemies and fire, and they have succeeded – until today.”
Thick smoke rises from the Old Stock Exchange “Boersen” in Copenhagen: “An iconic building that means a lot to all of us.”
Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix Photo/AP
The Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen – photo from January 2019.
Linda Kastrup/Ritzau Scanpix Photo/AP