The former Stock Exchange building in central Copenhagen, one of the city’s oldest structures known for its elaborate spire of intertwined dragon tails, partially collapsed in a large fire on Tuesday morning.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, but images and videos on social media showed flames on the roof of the structure and dark clouds of smoke lingering over the city.
“It is absolutely appalling to see Borsen in flames,” Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Denmark’s culture minister, said in an interview early Tuesday, using the building’s Danish name. “The building represents more than 400 years of Danish history. “It is one of the last structures in the world in the Dutch Renaissance style, where trade was conducted throughout the period.”
Copenhagen police said on social media they had evacuated several surrounding buildings and urged people to avoid the area.
The former stock exchange building, a 17th-century structure that was once Denmark’s financial center, also housed several historical paintings and other artifacts. City officials quickly removed the valuable pieces from the building after the fire broke out.
One of the most important works taken to safety was “From the Copenhagen Stock Exchange” by Peder Severin Kroyer, according to a local media outlet. The work, which was painted in 1895 and depicts several key Danish financial figures, measures more than 13 feet long. It took six people to pull him to safety.
Engel-Schmidt said the artworks from the former stock exchange “tell us something about ourselves as a nation and as a people.” He added that the building had been the backdrop for countless historical events and was ingrained in the Danish psyche.
“That’s why there are people standing in the streets, looking incredibly sad,” he said. “It affects me too.”
Several other officials lamented the fire, including Jan Jorgensen, a member of Parliament for the Liberal Party, who called for the former stock exchange to be rebuilt. “Probably the most iconic building in Copenhagen” said on social media. “All forces must be united to rebuild this ancient and beautiful house in all its power and splendor.”
The building was built under the direction of King Christian IV, who had recognized the importance of trade, according to the tourism website Visit Copenhagen. The original structure contained at least 40 market stalls and was surrounded by water on three sides to help ships easily unload their cargo.
As fire crews battled the flames Tuesday, dozens of onlookers stood silently on the street, watching in shock, including Celeste Bolvinkil Andersen, who said she had woken up when she heard her roommate screaming about the fire.
“It feels a little like becoming a first-hand witness to history,” he said. “I can’t help but sit here deeply disappointed in myself for not having gone in and seen the Borsen from the inside. And now he has completely disappeared.”
Maya Tekeli contributed reporting.