Denmark’s old stock exchange building in Copenhagen was razed by fire Tuesday with its dragon-tailed spire collapsing in the street below.
The immediate cause of the fire was not ascertained as the building was undergoing extensive repairs ahead of its 400th anniversary.
The fire started in an area where the work was ongoing, operational manager in Copenhagen’s fire department, Tim Ole Simonsen, told reporters.
“That is our immediate perception, at least,” he said.
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Scaffolding around the building made it harder for emergency services to get through to the flames, while the copper roof was preserving the heat.
Members of the public joined emergency services as well as the head of the chamber of commerce in rushing into the building to save the Børsen building’s substantial art collection.
The building was originally home to market stalls. In the late 19th century, security trading began in the building, which housed the Copenhagen Stock Exchange until 1974.
It now serves as the headquarters and conference venue of the Danish Chamber of Commerce.
As a respite, the mayors of Copenhagen had said in a statement that it was important to restore the building, assuring that they would talk to the owners to offer their support.
“The dragons (on the spire) were supposed to protect from enemies and fire, and they have succeeded – until today,” they said.
“We cannot do without the Stock Exchange. Now is the time to show what we’re made of”, the statement read.
The famous spire featured four dragons whose tails were twisted into a spear and three crowns, symbolising close ties with neighbours Norway and Sweden.
