- A massive fire broke out on Tuesday at Copenhagen’s 17th-century former stock exchange, causing the landmark building’s iconic spire to collapse. The spire, which was undergoing renovation, stood at 54 meters (180 feet) tall. Known as the Borsen, the building was commissioned by King Christian IV and constructed between 1619 and 1640. An AFP journalist witnessed the spire disappearing into flames during the blaze.
- Next to the Danish parliament, Christiansborg Palace, the building used to be the stock exchange until the 1970s. Nowadays, it’s the Danish Chamber of Commerce’s main office.
- Dramatic photos revealed large columns of black smoke rising from the building. Police announced on X that they had closed off parts of the city center as part of firefighting efforts.
“The scene is devastating,” expressed the Danish Chamber of Commerce.
The historic building, one of Copenhagen’s oldest, was undergoing renovations when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire remains unknown.