Historic Copenhagen Stock Exchange burns

Denmark’s 17th-century stock exchange building, called Børsen, went up in smoke Tuesday morning, triggering emotional responses from citizens and leaders alike. Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt confirmed the fire on social media, mourning 400 years of Danish history. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen likened the disaster to the 2019 fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in France. King Frederik X of Denmark released a sorrowful statement emphasizing the building’s historic significance and symbolism to Denmark’s capital city. Video from the Tuesday fire showed Børsen’s iconic 184-foot spire become engulfed in flames and collapse on the street below.

What could be saved from the fire? Passersby and emergency responders worked to rescue furniture, paintings, and other historic objects from the burning building, Engel-Schmidt said. He committed to repairs or reconstruction. “I will do everything I can so that the dragon spire will once again tower over Copenhagen,” the culture minister wrote.

How was the fire started? The fire’s cause remained unknown Tuesday afternoon, and no casualties were reported. The blaze likely began in an area being renovated, said Copenhagen Fire Department manager Tim Ole Simonsen. The fire was contained after hours of work, and firefighters planned to remain on the scene to ensure the fire was entirely extinguished, said Copenhagen Fire Department Chief Jakob Vedsted Andersen. He also explained how the copper roof held in the heat. Construction scaffolding and plastic tarps from renovation crews complicated the response of fire crews, Andersen said.

How bad is the damage? Damage to portions of the building is severe, Andersen said. Flames spread to half of the building, causing several parts of the roof to collapse, according to The Local Denmark. Emergency workers have set up 40 “containers” about 40 feet long around the building to guard against collapse, according to a local news outlet. Officials warned that roads around Børsen will be closed on Wednesday.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Sift on the surprise abdication of Danish Queen Margrethe II earlier this year.