The historic stock exchange building in Copenhagen, known as the Borsen, was engulfed in flames on Tuesday, leaving residents in horror as the 400-year-old structure’s iconic dragon spire collapsed. The building, which now houses the Danish Chamber of Commerce, has been a significant part of the city’s architectural heritage.
Dramatic videos from the scene showed massive plumes of black smoke billowing from the building as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Fortunately, everyone inside the building was able to evacuate safely.
People rushed into the burning building to save its extensive collection of historic artwork, with the National Museum sending 25 employees to assist in the evacuation efforts. Brian Mikkelsen, chief of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, described the fire as a national disaster and expressed relief that much of the artwork had been rescued.
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, but the blaze, which started in the building’s copper roof, quickly spread to several floors. The fire department faced challenges in reaching the flames due to scaffolding around the building for renovations and the heat-preserving copper roof.
The incident has been likened to Denmark’s “Notre Dame moment,” with Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen drawing parallels to the devastating fire at the Paris cathedral five years ago. The Borsen, commissioned by King Christian IV, has been a symbol of Danish cultural heritage for centuries, with its distinctive dragon spire serving as a landmark in Copenhagen.
The ongoing renovation of the Borsen was intended to coincide with the building’s 400th anniversary and correct past restoration mistakes. Despite the tragic fire, efforts are being made to preserve the remaining structure and assess the extent of the damage to this historic landmark.
