Copenhagen’s historic stock exchange building goes up in flames and its iconic spire destroyed when a fire breaks out during renovation

By Henry Last updated Apr 16, 2024

Denmark’s historic stock exchange has gone up in flames after a fire broke out today during the renovation.

Local media reported a ‘big bang’ before the iconic spire collapsed in Copenhagen’s capital.

A large police and fire service is still on the scene around the Børsen building, where scaffolding should have collapsed in the inferno.

Surrounding streets have been closed off and commuters are being urged to avoid the inner city as authorities desperately try to tackle the blaze.

Crowds gathered in disbelief to watch as the building, which dates back to 1625, billowed with smoke.

Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Danish culture minister, said 400 years of cultural heritage had gone up in flames as artefacts were rushed out of the fire.

Waves of smoke and flames rise around the scaffolding of the old stock exchange in Denmark

The iconic spire is seen surrounded by collapsing scaffolding early Tuesday morning

Smoke engulfs the fragile frame of the spire in Copenhagen, Tuesday 16 April

Locals carry paintings and other objects as a fire burns the old Børsen (Boersen) in Copenhagen, Denmark, April 16, 2024

People gather in disbelief as the historic building goes up in flames on April 16

A man reacts as the Old Stock Exchange burns in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16

Video from the scene showed firefighters struggling to save historic paintings from the building.

‘It’s terrible. It was one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. I pass by here every day. It’s Notre Dame again, a spectator told state television. DR.

Emergency services said they had mobilized ‘on a massive scale’ to contain the outbreak.

Brian Mikkelsen, director of Dansk Erhverv, Danmarks Erhverv, was seen helping the efforts to salvage items from the fire.

Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard applauded the efforts of the emergency services to ‘save human life and our historical cultural heritage’ in a post on Twitter/X.

The neighboring Christiansborg Castle, now the Parliament, was partially evacuated when the fire raged.

‘Suddenly there was an announcement that we had to leave the building’, reported the local Berlingske shortly after 8:00.

‘It happened quietly and now we have about a hundred people standing outside.’

The stock exchange is an important landmark in the city, identifiable by its twisted ‘Dragespir’ (Dragespir) and three crowns on top, representing the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The building was undergoing renovation to restore its original facade and correct mistakes made during an attempt in the 19th century.

During the 19th century the building was roofed with copper as much of the original lead cladding was scrapped to produce cannonballs during the Swedish occupation, 1658-59.

The building – originally built by Christian IV in an attempt to strengthen trade on the continent – came to house the Danish stock market in 1974.

The exact cause of the fire is currently unknown.