Denmark’s old 17th-century stock exchange building has been engulfed in flames, taking a large swatche of Danish cultural heritage with it.
Currently home to the Danish Chamber of Commerce, the Børsen building was seen going up in flames on Tuesday, prompting its spire to collapse.
The near-400-year-old Børsen building was built in 1625, making it one of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings.
Jakob Engel-Schmidt, culture minister, said 400 years of Danish cultural heritage had gone up in flames as a result, with onlookers said to have rushed in to rescue some of the historic paintings inside.
The moment the iconic spire of Copenhagen’s historic stock exchange building collapsed in a fire.
Danish media reported that everyone in the building was evacuated safely after the blaze broke out on Tuesday morning in the 17th century building. pic.twitter.com/e1my0RZgMd
— euronews (@euronews) April 16, 2024
Børsen had been covered in scaffolding and white sheeting as renovations took place, with the cause of the fire as yet unknown.
Everyone inside was reportedly able to escape.
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen described “terrible images” of the scene, adding a piece of the nation’s history had gone.
According to local emergency services, scaffolding on the building made operations more difficult, with much of the building set to have been badly damaged by the fire.