One of Copenhagen's most famous buildings is on fire: the historic Stock Exchange. The top of the tower collapsed and valuable works of art were saved. A minister talks about Denmark's “Notre Dame moment”.
Copenhagen's historic stock market is on fire. The tower of the building – one of the oldest and most famous in the Danish capital – has had parts of the roof collapse. According to the fire department, the fire is now contained to about half of the building.
The fire is still not under control. Hours after the blast, smoke and flames continue to billow. 120 firemen and 60 helpers from armed forces are on duty. Several streets and surrounding areas were cordoned off, police said.
Jakob Vedsted Andersen, head of emergency services, told the Ritzau news agency that the fire, which broke out under the roof around 7:30 a.m., spread to other parts of the building. “It's a copper roof and it's just impossible to get under this roof, so there's plenty of time for a fire to develop,” said Wasted Anderson.
Photo gallery
Historic Copenhagen Stock Exchange gutted by fire
In the morning thick black smoke billowed from the building near Parliament. Helpers still tried to save historic paintings. Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said passers-by also rushed to help emergency services recover art objects.
The Old Stock Exchange has a large art collection, including PS Groer's “From the Copenhagen Stock Exchange”, which was taken by many during the fire. Police, fire brigade and ambulance attended the scene but there are no reports of injuries at this time.
Firefighters leave the main entrance of the Alte Börse. About 120 of them are in use.
“Our Own Notre Dame Moment”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed his shock on Instagram about the fire. The pictures are terrible. The Prime Minister wrote that it is painful to watch. A piece of Danish history is burning, along with the historic stock market. A symbol of 400 years of economic history and irreplaceable cultural heritage in Denmark – it is one of the most iconic buildings in the capital.
Culture Minister Engel-Schmidt responded similarly on text message service X: “Horrible images from the stock market this morning. 400 years of Danish cultural heritage going up in flames.”
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen compared the fire to the devastating fire at Notre-Dame. He wrote on X: “Horrible images from Porson. So sad. An iconic building that means so much to all of us. Our own Notre Dame moment.” A fire broke out in a Paris church almost five years ago – on April 15, 2019. The roof was almost completely destroyed.
The building is currently being renovated
The cause of the fire in Copenhagen is still unclear. The Stock Exchange was completed in 1625 and is now the headquarters of the Danish Chamber of Commerce. The tower, which depicts four intertwined dragon tails, is considered a landmark of the city and a tourist attraction.
The building is currently being renovated, so scaffolding is in place. The restoration was intended to correct the improper reconstruction of the building in the 19th century and restore the facade to its original appearance.
The iconic tower of Copenhagen's landmark and tourist attraction, the Old Stock Exchange, collapsed.
Ministry of Finance and parts of the fort were evacuated
Due to the fire, the Danish Ministry of Finance and a section of the Christiansborg Palace were evacuated. Many MPs and journalists have their offices there. Full forum meetings and board meetings should first take place as scheduled in Christiansborg.
Copenhagen police expect the area to remain cordoned off for an extended period of time. It is not recommended to leave the city center unnecessarily due to massive traffic problems.
Julia Waschenbach, ARD Stockholm, tagesschau, April 16, 2024 1:16 pm
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