Copenhagen's historic stock exchange building goes up in flames
The historic stock exchange in Copenhagen, one of the oldest and most iconic buildings in the Danish capital, was engulfed by a major fire on Tuesday, causing its spire to collapse in the flames.
Heavy smoke and fire rose from the building as Copenhagen police cordoned off the area around the Old Stock Exchange in the centre of the city.
Television footage showed people carrying away a number of items, including historical paintings.
The building, also known as the Børsen, houses a large art collection, including the monumental 19th-century oil painting "From Copenhagen Stock Exchange" by P.S. Krøyer, which was carried away by several people.
Denmark's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen expressed his shock.
"Terrible pictures from the Børsen. So sad. An iconic building that means a lot to all of us. Our own Notre Dame moment," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, comparing the blaze to the one that severely damaged the famous Paris landmark five years ago.
The cause of the fire was initially unclear. The building was completed in 1625, and is one of the oldest in Copenhagen. The building is currently undergoing renovations and is covered in scaffolding.
The renovation was intended to correct previous work carried out in the 19th century, and restore the building's façade to its original appearance.
