ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Old Stock Exchange fire COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - APRIL 16: Smoke rises after major fire broke out on Tuesday morning at Denmark's historic Old Stock Exchange building in central Copenhagen, Denmark on April 16, 2024. (Photo by Pinar Lauridsen/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images)
ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — A massive blaze appears to have destroyed the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen.
Reuters called the building one of the city’s most famous landmarks and likened the fire to the one that heavily damaged Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2019.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen wrote on social media: “Terrible pictures from the Stock Exchange. So sad. An iconic building that means a lot to all of us, I think. Our own Notre-Dame moment.”
Frygtelige billeder fra Børsen. Så trist. En ikonisk bygning, der betyder meget for os alle, tror jeg. Vores eget Notre Dame-øjeblik. pic.twitter.com/X0jWjfUFVc
Not only did first responders try to save the historic building, but bystanders and 25 employees of the country’s National Museum helped rescue large paintings and other artifacts that had been housed there, carrying them away from the burning structure. They will be taken to the museum to be examined.
Her bæres det store Krøyer-maleri ind i lastbilen og fragtes nu i sikkerhed til vores magasin. pic.twitter.com/vgnKXfXSjZ
Vi er ved Børsen (og flere kolleger er på vej - 25 i alt), hvor vi er ved at evakuere kulturgenstande, herunder malerier, se på skaderne og få dem fragtet sikkert derfra og opbevaret forsvarligt. pic.twitter.com/oTVNoa9QLJ
Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt called the scene of people trying “to save art treasures and iconic images from the burning building” touching, The Associated Press reported.
The fire was so intense it brought down the spire, part of it landing near a fire truck. The spire was being renovated and was covered in scaffolding at the time of the fire.
Portions of the roof also collapsed as the fire spread.
Danish Chamber of Commerce CEO Brian Mikkelsen said that his employees were crying over the loss of the former stock exchange building, which is now the headquarters for the chamber.
“Everybody is crying at the Danish Chamber of Commerce right now. It’s their workplace, but also their history,” Mikkelsen said, according to Reuters.
“It’s our cultural heritage that I’m looking at. It’s 400 years that have shaped Danish cultural history and the society we live in today.”
There were no reports of injuries and no cause has been determined.
The building dates back to the 17th century, the AP reported.
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Denmark Fire This photo combo shows the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Jan. 28, 2019, top, and fire and smoke rising out it on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, bottom. The building, which is situated next to the Christiansborg Palace where the parliament sits, is a popular tourist attraction. Its distinctive spire, in the shape of the tails of four dragons twined together, reached a height of 56 meters (184 feet). (Linda Kastrup, Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Linda Kastrup/Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire People ride bicycles as smoke rises from the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. A fire raged through one of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings on Tuesday, causing the collapse of the iconic spire of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange as passersby rushed to help emergency services save priceless paintings and other valuables. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Nicolai Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Firefighters work as smoke rises out of the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. A fire raged through one of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings on Tuesday, causing the collapse of the iconic spire of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange as passersby rushed to help emergency services save priceless paintings and other valuables. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Nicolai Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Firefighters work as smoke rises out of the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. A fire raged through one of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings on Tuesday, causing the collapse of the iconic spire of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange as passersby rushed to help emergency services save priceless paintings and other valuables. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire This photo combo of six shows from top left the progress of spire collapsing as fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. A fire has swept through one of Copenhagen's oldest buildings, causing the collapse of the iconic spire from the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange. (Ida Marie Odgaard, Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Firefighters work as smoke rises out of the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. A fire raged through one of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings on Tuesday, causing the collapse of the iconic spire of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange as passersby rushed to help emergency services save priceless paintings and other valuables. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Nicolai Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Former Danish Minister of Culture and current CEO of Danish Business, Brian Mikkelsen, left, assists with the evacuation of paintings from the Boersen burning in Copenhagen on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. A fire raged through one of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings on Tuesday, causing the collapse of the iconic spire of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange as passersby rushed to help emergency services save priceless paintings and other valuables. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - APRIL 16: Smoke rises after major fire broke out on Tuesday morning at Denmark's historic Old Stock Exchange building in central Copenhagen, Denmark on April 16, 2024. (Photo by Pinar Lauridsen/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Denmark Fire Smoke rises out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The copper roof of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The copper roof of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The copper roof of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The copper roof of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The copper roof of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Firefighters work as fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The building, which is situated next to the Christiansborg Palace where the parliament sits, is a popular tourist attraction. Its distinctive spire, in the shape of the tails of four dragons twined together, reached a height of 56 meters (184 feet). (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Firefighters work as smoke rises out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The building, which is situated next to the Christiansborg Palace where the parliament sits, is a popular tourist attraction. Its distinctive spire, in the shape of the tails of four dragons twined together, reached a height of 56 meters (184 feet). (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The copper roof of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire A firefighter works as smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Firefighters walk out of the main entrance as the Old Stock Exchange burns in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Boersen, that was once Denmark’s financial center, was engulfed in flames Tuesday. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire A man reacts as the Old Stock Exchange burns in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire People watch as fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
Denmark Fire Smoke surrounds the Danish flag above the Ministry of Finance as the Old Stock Exchange, not in the picture, burns, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Ida Marie Odgaard/AP)
Denmark Fire Fire and smoke rise out of the Old Stock Exchange, Boersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. The Old Stock Exchange dates back to 1625 and is one of the oldest buildings in Copenhagen. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) (Emil Helms/AP)
