Copenhagen, Denmark – Flames tore through the historic old stock exchange building in Copenhagen, Denmark, on a Tuesday morning, engulfing the iconic structure that has stood at the heart of Danish business since the 17th century. Videos from the scene captured the intensity of the fire as black smoke billowed from the landmark, drawing emergency responders to the scene. The building’s distinctive 56-meter spire, shaped like the tail of four entwined dragons, collapsed dramatically as onlookers watched in shock.
Authorities in Copenhagen urged people to avoid the area as firefighters worked to control the blaze, which had spread throughout the elevator shaft to all floors of the building. Despite the havoc caused by the fire, there have been no reported injuries thus far. The Danish Chamber of Commerce, based in the structure, described the scene as “a terrible sight,” lamenting the damage to 400 years of cultural heritage.
Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt expressed his sorrow at the loss of art treasures and iconic images in the blaze, commending the efforts of emergency services and bystanders in salvaging valuable belongings from the burning building. The fire, described as “burning violently” by Frank Trier Mikkelsen of the Greater Copenhagen fire department, presented a challenging situation for firefighters, with the need to remove parts of the building’s roof to fully extinguish the flames.
As the fire raged on, machines were called in to help remove the copper roof, as traditional water applications proved ineffective against the intense heat. With the situation still developing, firefighters continued to work tirelessly to contain the fire and prevent further destruction. The ongoing efforts to combat the blaze underscored the resilience of the emergency responders and the collaborative spirit of the community in the face of adversity.