On Tuesday, a severe fire occurred at Børsen, the historic Old Stock Exchange building in Copenhagen, Denmark, leading to the collapse of its famous spire just ahead of its 400th anniversary. The fire broke out in the early hours, causing the destruction of the spire, which was made up of intertwined dragon tails and stood 56 meters high.

Børsen, constructed in 1640, is located next to Christiansborg Palace and has been a significant cultural and historical site in Denmark. It was the main stock exchange in Copenhagen until 1974 and is currently home to the Danish Chamber of Commerce. The building is known for its architectural heritage and was thought to have been protected from disasters by the dragon-tailed spire, according to local belief.

As the fire raged, emergency services, including firefighters and police, responded promptly. Efforts were made to salvage valuable paintings and other important items from inside the building. Despite the severity of the fire, no casualties have been reported. Nearby areas, including an annex of the parliament, were evacuated as a precaution.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Traffic around the main road in Copenhagen was diverted to facilitate emergency operations. The damage to Børsen, especially with ongoing restoration efforts, has been significant, leaving a noticeable impact on Denmark’s historical landscape.

Denmark’s Culture Minister, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the building, comparing the incident to other major cultural tragedies. The event has garnered reactions from both officials and residents, who lament the loss of a key piece of the city’s architectural and cultural heritage.