April 16, 2019 (Reuters) – One of the most well-known sites in the Danish capital, the Old Stock Exchange, was completely destroyed by fire on Tuesday before it was contained.
Tuesday morning, a fire started in the structure designed in the Dutch Renaissance style of the 17th century. It was soon engulfed in flames, and sights reminiscent of the 2019 Notre-Dame Cathedral fire in Paris soared over the city as thick gray smoke billowed.
There were no casualty reports.
On camera, the flaming spire split in two as it fell, with a piece hitting the ground close to a fire engine.
In an effort to save historic artifacts from the fire, emergency personnel, members of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, including its CEO Brian Mikkelsen, and even bystanders were observed taking paintings out of the building.
Royal Life Guard soldiers assisted in blocking off streets and securing goods.
“It’s unbelievable, but everyone at the Danish Chamber of Commerce is crying right now,” Mikkelsen said to reporters, shaking his head.
“I’m focusing on our cultural legacy. The 400-year period has influenced Danish cultural history and the modern society we live in.”
Reporters were briefed in the afternoon by Copenhagen fire department chief Jakob Vedsted Andersen that although the fire had been contained, fighting will go on through the night.
Sadly, we were not successful. Although a significant portion of the Stock Exchange was severely damaged in the fire, many items were spared,” he stated.
Owners of the building since 1857, the Danish Chamber of Commerce was attempting to restore it in the 17th-century style intended by Denmark’s King Christian IV.
The stock exchange has moved out of the building, which now houses the Chamber of Commerce offices.
When the fire started, it was covered in scaffolding, which made it more difficult for the fire brigade to reach the flames and retained heat due to the copper roof.
Firefighters rescued several hundred artworks and artifacts, such as clocks, mirrors, chandeliers, and paintings, before the majority of the interior was destroyed by fire.
Paintings by Danish impressionist Peder Severin Kroyer from the 19th century were among the preserved pieces, according to Camilla Jul Bastholm of the National Museum of Denmark.
The building’s roof had collapsed in some places, and the fire had spread to multiple storeys.
The cause of the fire was unknown. As soon as they could get access, police indicated they would start their investigation.
OUR OWN NOTRE-DAME MOMENT
Appalling photos from the Bourse. Such sorrow. A symbol of our shared history and culture… Troels Lund Poulsen, the minister of defense, wrote on X, “Our own Notre-Dame moment.”
Elisabeth Handberg, the instructor, reported that she and her students had observed the smoke from the window of their classroom.
“At first I couldn’t believe it was true,” she stated. “I’m hoping it will be rebuilt, it can’t be any other way.”
While en route to work, 23-year-old software programmer Thor Koustrup paused to see the fire. “I can feel it hitting me inside,” stated the man.
According to CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Mikkelsen, the board has already resolved to reconstruct the Stock Exchange.
DRAGONS ON THE ROOF
Originally, the structure was intended to be used for trade items like spices and tea. The spire was designed to resemble the interwoven tails of four dragons, signifying the safeguarding of Denmark’s gold reserves that would come from commerce.
In addition, the spire’s three crowns at the top stood for the kingdoms of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.
In a post, King Frederik stated, “An important part of our architectural heritage was and still is in flames.” “For generations, the characteristic dragon spire has helped to characterise Copenhagen as the ‘city of towers’.”
According to authorities, the fire forced the evacuation of the neighboring finance ministry.
