- Historic Copenhagen stock exchange building ablaze; iconic spire collapses
- Citizens race to rescue artworks; structure’s heritage lost
- Fire damages significant portion; origin yet unknown
The historic ancient stock exchange building in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark, is currently engulfed in flames.
Onlookers gasped as the iconic spire of the Børsen, one of the city’s earliest structures dating back to the 17th century, succumbed to the engulfed flames.
While everyone was permitted to evacuate the structure, individuals raced to rescue some of its historic paintings.
Culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt stated that the destruction of four centuries’ worth of Danish cultural heritage.
The establishment, which was completed in 1625, is situated within walking distance of the Folketing, the Danish parliament, and Christiansborg, the royal residence. The adjacent square, according to Danish media, was being evacuated.
Due to ongoing renovations, the former stock exchange was encased in protective plastic and scaffolding. It is presently occupied by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, which on Tuesday morning characterised the scenes as abhorrent.
Henrik Grage, a local craftsman, stated on Danish television that the day was unfortunate. Comparing it to the fire that consumed the roof and spire of the central Paris cathedral in 2019, he remarked, “This is our Notre-Dame.”
On 15 April, a fire broke out beneath the rafters of Notre Dame, which at the time was encased in scaffolding due to ongoing renovations in Paris. Investigators have placed the responsibility on either an electrical short circuit or an improperly extinguished cigarette butt from a worker.
Additionally, the origin of the fire in Copenhagen is currently unknown; however, emergency services reported that the scaffolding complicated their efforts. The fire is believed to have severely damaged a significant portion of the structure, with officials stating that it was most intensive near the tower.
To rescue the priceless artworks from the Børsen, passing citizens and chamber of commerce director Brian Mikkelsen assisted emergency services.
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The fire was distressing to witness, according to local museum inspector Benjamin Asmussen, who spoke to Denmark’s TV2. The old stock exchange was adorned with paintings depicting Danes who had held significant positions since the 17th century.
King Christian IV of Denmark commissioned the Dutch Renaissance-style structure on Slotsholmen, or palace island, to transform Copenhagen into a significant trading hub.
Its spire was adorned with three crowns and four dragons whose tails were entwined to form a spear, representing strong connections with neighbouring countries Norway and Sweden.
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