A catastrophic fire has severely damaged Copenhagen’s historic 17th-century stock exchange, causing its iconic spire to collapse and prompting a major emergency response.
A devastating fire engulfed Copenhagen’s historic 17th-century stock exchange building, situated next to Christiansborg Palace in the city centre. The fire caused the distinctive spire of the Dutch Renaissance-style building, reminiscent of four dragons’ tails entwined, to collapse. The blaze, occurring during renovations, led to a massive inferno that shocked the nation and drew comparisons to the Notre Dame fire in Paris.
Witnesses saw individuals rushing to save valuable artwork from the burning structure as emergency services and locals worked together to mitigate the damage. Authorities closed off the area, evacuated surrounding buildings, and warned of potential prolonged road closures. The building’s significance as a historical and cultural landmark, housing the Chamber of Commerce, added to the gravity of the event.
Whilst there were no reported injuries, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, with firefighters facing challenges due to dangerous conditions inside the building. Danish Culture Minister Jakon Engel-Schmidt acknowledged the public’s assistance in salvaging artworks. The tragic loss of this iconic symbol of Danish heritage highlighted the unity and resilience of the community in the face of the tragedy.
