A MASSIVE fire tore through Copenhagen’s 400-year-old Stock Exchange this morning, engulfing its iconic spire which collapsed onto the roof.
Shocking footage showed one of the Danish capital’s most iconic buildings ablaze as locals rushed to save its priceless paintings trapped inside.
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Police received reports of a fire at 8am local time (7am GMT) and emergency services rushed to the burning Børsen building, which was encased in scaffolding.
Firefighters and ambulances surrounded the site, but there were no reports of injuries.
Dramatic footage showed huge billows of smoke rose over downtown Copenhagen and people were seen rushing inside the building, which was once Denmark’s financial centre, to save paintings.
Local residents appeared to be helping out in the large-scale effort to rescue the centuries-old artwork from the flames.
The historic landmark, which is situated next to the Christiansborg Palace where the parliament sits, is a popular tourist attraction.
Danish media reported that an annex of the parliament was being evacuated.
Copenhagen police asked people to avoid driving in the inner part of the city.
One witness told Danish state broadcaster DR: “It’s horrible. It was one of the city’s most beautiful buildings.
“I pass by here every day. It’s Notre Dame all over again.”
The Dutch Renaissance-style building – which dates back to 1625 – no longer houses the Danish stock exchange, but serves as headquarters for the Danish Chamber of Commerce.
“We are met by a terrible sight. The Bourse is on fire,” the Chamber of Commerce wrote on X.
It had been under renovation when the fire broke out.
Its 184ft spire is shaped as the tails of four dragons intertwined and, according to legend, is said to guard it against enemy attacks and fire.
Local media reports that the old Stock Exchange has managed to be spared from fires raging nearby in the past.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
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