A fire broke out on Tuesday in one of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings, the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange, destroying about half of the historic structure and causing its iconic dragon-tail spire to collapse. The cause of the blaze is still unknown, but it started during renovations on the building’s roof. The Old Stock Exchange is a major tourist attraction in Denmark, located next to the parliament building in the heart of the capital. The fire sent huge billows of smoke over downtown Copenhagen, visible from southern Sweden.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed sadness over the loss of the Old Stock Exchange, describing it as an “irreplaceable cultural heritage.” Despite the fire, there were no reports of casualties, and emergency responders worked to save valuable paintings and other artifacts from the burning building. Many members of the public also lent a helping hand to rescue these cultural treasures. Among the works of art saved was a painting by Danish artist P.S. Krøyer, titled “From Copenhagen Stock Exchange.”
The fire quickly spread through the Old Stock Exchange, destroying about half of the building and collapsing parts of the roof. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, authorities expect it could take up to 24 hours to secure the scene. Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt commended the efforts of those who helped save the artworks and treasures from the building. The coppersmith company responsible for renovating the roof had workers on the site when the fire broke out, but they were safely evacuated.
The destruction of the Old Stock Exchange has been described as a national disaster, with efforts being made to salvage as many valuables as possible. The future of the historic structure is uncertain, but there are hopes to restore it to its former glory. The fire brings to mind similar incidents at historic landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and Windsor Castle in England, where priceless works of art were saved from destruction. The response to the Old Stock Exchange fire highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the efforts made by emergency responders and members of the public to protect these treasures.
