‘Terrible’ fire rips through 400-year-old historic Danish stock exchange

Scores of people took part in a brave and surprising act as flames tore through one of the most historic buildings in a European nation.

Passers-by in the Danish capital of Copenhagen bravely rushed to save precious artworks and paintings as one of the country’s most historic buildings burned to the ground in devastating scenes.

The 400-year-old Børsbygningen, Copenhagen’s old stock exchange building, caught alight early on Tuesday morning (local time).

The building’s burning spire fell to the ground to the gasps of Danes below.

Denmark’s King Frederik, husband of Princess Mary from Australia, wrote on social media that the destruction of “an important part of our architectural heritage” was a “sad sight”.

“The Queen and I would like to thank all those who, since early this morning, have ensured that no one has been injured, and who have fought to save as much as possible of both the building and the many cultural treasures and works of art contained (inside).”

Deputy prime minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the blaze was Denmark’s “own Notre-Dame moment,” in reference to the Paris cathedral fire of 2019.

A fire rips through the Børsbygningen in Copenhagen, Denmark. Picture: Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP

The spire collapsed at 8.30am on Tuesday, local time. Picture: Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP

Firefighters work at the main entrance of the historic Boersen stock exchange building. Picture: Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP

The conflagration started during renovation works and the building was covered in scaffolding and cladding. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Up to 120 firefighters fought the blaze.

The building’s spire collapsed about 8.30am local time followed by parts of the roof.

The fire service expects the operation to continue for 24 hours.

People react as the old stock exchange building burns in central Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT

Amazing act from passers-by

As the fire raged, startling scenes emerged from Copengahen as soldiers, fire fighters and even passers-by on the way to work went bravely towards the blaze to rescue artworks and paintings.

The Børsbygningen, which most recently housed the Danish Chamber of Commerce, was renowned for its art collection and historic furniture.

People ran with paintings through the streets of Copenhagen in an effort to save them.

A passer-by runs with paintings from the burning Stock Exchange building in Copenhagen. Picture: BBC.

It’s been reported that a man riding to work jumped off his bike to help. Crowbars were used to quickly remove some of the works as the fire encroached.

Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said it was “touching” to see how many people lent their hand “to save art treasures and iconic images from the burning building,” reported website Euronews.

Treasures from Copenhagen's old stock exchange being saved by workers as the building burns behind them. Picture: X/Mads Bisgaard via Storyful

Firefighters, soldiers and locals all helped carry the artwork out of harm's ways. Picture: X/Mads Bisgaard via Storyful

The rescue effort included the chief of the Danish National Archives Brian Mikkelsen (foreground). Picture: X/Mads Bisgaard via Storyful.

The art works were taken to the nearby Danish National Archives as well as to the Folketing, Denmark’s parliament building.

“We have been able to rescue a lot,” chief of the Danish National Archives Brian Mikkelsen said who himself went in to the building to grab items.

“It is a national disaster,” he added.

Plumes of smoke billow from the Dragon Spire of the old stock exchange. (Photo by Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT

Construction on the Børsbygningen (which literally means “stock exchange building”) began in 1619 with the support of Danish king Christian IV.

It took about 20 years to finish construction of the Dutch Renaissance-style building.

The tourist attraction is known for its 56-metre spire shaped like the tails of four dragons, which twist into a spear and three crowns in an allusion to the friendship of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The modern Danish stock exchange is located elsewhere and the building is now the Danish Chamber of Commerce headquarters.

Preparations were under way to celebrate the building’s 400-year anniversary.

Shocked Danes reacted to the painful sight of the building being ravaged by flames.

“Terrible pictures from Børsen this morning; 400 years of Danish cultural heritage is in flames,” culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt wrote on X.