On Tuesday, a fire burned through one of Copenhagen's oldest buildings, collapsing the iconic spire from the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange as bystanders rushed to assist emergency services in saving precious paintings and other treasures.
According to firefighters spokesperson Jakob Vedsted Andersen, the fire started Tuesday morning in the copper roof of the Old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, spread to much of the building and roof, which fell in portions, and devastated the building's interior.
Firefighters reportedly pumped water from a nearby canal and sprayed it into the doorway of the Old Stock Exchange's gilded hall, which is used for gala banquets, conferences, parties, and other occasions and houses many of the paintings.
There were ambulances on the scene, but there were no reports of injuries. The cause of the fire was not immediately identified.
The structure, which is located near to the Christiansborg Palace, where the parliament meets, is a popular tourist destination and has been photographed millions of times. Its remarkable spire, which resembled the tails of four dragons twined together, stood 56 metres (184 feet) tall.
Huge billows of smoke surged over downtown Copenhagen, as people rushed inside to preserve the artworks. The plume could be seen from southern Sweden, separated by a short river.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared that "irreplaceable cultural heritage" and "a piece of Danish history are on fire." "It hurts to see," Frederiksen posted on Instagram.
Police announced on the social media platform X that a main route in Copenhagen had been closed, and that the area will be roped off for some time.
Several bus routes were redirected, and the Danish media reported massive traffic congestion in the neighbouring areas.
The building and spire had been wrapped in scaffolding, which fell during the fire. The roof, brickwork, sandstone and spire of Boersen - erected in 1615 and regarded as a notable example of Dutch Renaissance design in Denmark - were being repaired, according to the Chamber of Commerce, which took over the building after Copenhagen's stock exchange left in 1974.
Video Credit: Associated Press
Denmark: Fire rips through historic Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen
