Historic stock exchange in Copenhagen engulfed in flames, causing spire to collapse | World News

A devastating fire tore through Copenhagen’s Old Stock Exchange, a historic landmark in the Danish capital, on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through the city reminiscent of the Notre-Dame Cathedral blaze in Paris last year.

The fire engulfed the spire of the Old Stock Exchange, causing it to collapse in a dramatic scene captured on video. Emergency services, employees from the Danish Chamber of Commerce, and even passers-by were seen frantically carrying valuable paintings and artefacts away from the burning building in a race to save Denmark’s cultural heritage.

Danish Chamber of Commerce CEO Brian Mikkelsen expressed his disbelief and sorrow, stating, “It’s our cultural heritage that I’m looking at. It’s 400 years that have shaped Danish cultural history and the society we live in today.”

The National Museum of Denmark dispatched 25 employees to assist in evacuating cultural artefacts and paintings from the building. Among the works saved were paintings by renowned Danish artist Peder Severin Kroyer.

The Old Stock Exchange, with its iconic dragon-shaped spire and three crowns symbolizing Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, had been undergoing renovations when the fire broke out. The fire service reported that parts of the roof had collapsed and the fire had spread to several floors of the building.

As the city was blanketed in thick grey smoke and sirens wailed, residents and onlookers expressed their sadness and disbelief at the loss of such a significant piece of Denmark’s architectural heritage. The cause of the fire is still unknown, and the firefighting operation is expected to continue through the night.