Historic stock exchange building in Copenhagen destroyed in fire

Large parts of Copenhagen's historic stock exchange building were completely destroyed in a fire on Tuesday. Among other things, the building's iconic spire collapsed, in what one resident calls "our Notre Dame."

"400 years of Danish cultural heritage are up in flames," wrote Denmark's Minister of Culture.

The alarm about the fire reached the police at 07:43 on Tuesday morning when smoke was seen spreading from Copenhagen's famous stock exchange building, "Børsen." A large area was cordoned off, and people gathered to witness the fire.

"This is our Notre Dame," says Copenhagen resident Henrik Grage to Danish TV2.

The flames intensified significantly as they spread through the elevator shaft, reaching all floors of the building.

According to preparedness director Jakob Vedsted Andersen, the fire is now under control.

"A large part of Børsen has been severely damaged by fire, but a significant portion of valuables has been saved," he said at a press conference.

According to Swedish Television, SVT.se, the cause of the fire is unknown. The police have not yet been able to begin the investigation at the scene of the fire.

The fire department suspects that the fire may have been caused by the ongoing restoration work.

"At least, that's our immediate perception. The fire started in the part of the building where work has been ongoing, but that's all I can say about it," said firefighter Tim Ole Simonsen to TV2.

A very old building and a cultural treasure

The stock exchange building from 1625 is one of Copenhagen's oldest buildings and is known for its twisting spire, which rises from the main structure. Just before 09:00, the landmark collapsed, reports Danish newspaper Ekstrabladet.

"A sea of ​​people is trying to save the iconic and valuable artifacts that are normally inside Børsen. Among other things, several people can be seen carrying out a huge painting," the newspaper writes.

According to the BBC, The former stock exchange was undergoing renovations, enveloped in scaffolding and protective plastic sheeting.

Presently, it serves as the home of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, whose director, Brian Mikkelsen, described the scenes on Tuesday morning as distressing. He revealed that up to half of the old stock exchange had succumbed to the flames but pledged a steadfast commitment to its reconstruction, declaring it would be rebuilt "no matter what."

47 minutes from the alarm came in to the fall of the famous spire

From the moment the alarm reached the police to the spire's fall, 47 minutes elapsed at the Stock Exchange Building in Copenhagen.

SVT News meticulously compiled footage and timestamps from private sources, reconstructing the events minute by minute.

Ville Bexander, a fire engineer from the Swedish Fire Protection Association, analyzed the images. According to him, it was nearly futile to contain the fire a mere 17 minutes after the alarm sounded.

"Once it breaks through the roof structure, it becomes very difficult to contain the fire," he says.

According to Bexander, the cause of the fire cannot be determined from the images. However, he sees the construction site as a potential risk.

"Tools and methods used there could have potentially cause the fire," he notes.

Drew water from a canal - heroic efforts to save famous paintings

As reported by Associated Press, ambulances were present at the scene, but fortunately, there were no reports of casualties. 

Firefighters, reportedly drawing water from a nearby canal, directed streams of water through the entrance of the Old Stock Exchange's opulent hall. This hall, known for hosting gala dinners, conferences, and various events, also housed numerous paintings. Efforts were made to protect these valuable artworks from the engulfing flames.

Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support in salvaging the art treasures and iconic images housed within the burning structure. From bystanders lending their assistance to firefighters to passersby aiding in the evacuation of large artworks, the collective effort to preserve cultural heritage was evident.

Among the notable pieces displayed in the building was a significant painting completed in 1895 by Danish artist P.S. Krøyer, titled "From Copenhagen Stock Exchange." 

While details regarding which artworks were rescued remain undisclosed, video footage suggested that efforts were made to save the Krøyer painting

A popular tourist destination and gala hall

According to Wikipedia, Børsen, also referred to as Børsbygningen, stood as a prominent landmark in Copenhagen's city center, serving as a 17th-century stock exchange adjacent to Christiansborg Palace on Slotsholmen Island.

Commissioned during the reign of Christian IV and constructed between 1619 and 1640, this historic edifice epitomized the Dutch Renaissance architectural style in Denmark. Recognized for its architectural significance, Børsen holds protected status, safeguarding its heritage for future generations.

A beloved tourist destination, Børsen captivated visitors with its iconic spire, soaring 56 meters (184 feet) into the sky and adorned with the intertwining tails of four dragons—a distinctive feature that set it apart.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons License

The Old Stock Exchange Building "Børsen" in Copenhagen, which burned down on April 16, 2024. By Jebulon - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49932765