Børsen fire: what started the blaze in Copenhagen’s Old Stock Exchange?

Copenhagen’s Old Stock Exchange, located in the centre of the Danish capital, was engulfed by flames this morning.

Source of Old Stock Exchange fire unconfirmed

Dating back to 1625, the building - known in Danish as the Børsen - is one of the oldest in Copenhagen. It remains unclear how the fire started, emergency services told Danish media.

Per Reuters, scaffolding around the Old Stock Exchange has made it more difficult for firefighters to tackle the blaze, and its copper roof served to preserve heat.

As of 6:40am ET, emergency services were still battling to extinguish the fire in parts of the building.

According to numerous media reports, all occupants of the Børsen were able to leave the building safely when the fire broke out. Danish police say nobody has been hurt.

Børsen fire is “our Notre-Dame”

In a press conference, Denmark’s culture minister, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, said that 400 years of history was on fire, the Danish newspaper Berlingske reports. Efforts have been made to save several paintings housed inside the building.

Per the BBC, a local craftsman, Henrik Grage, told Danish television: “This is our Notre-Dame.”

In April 2019, Paris’ medieval Notre-Dame cathedral suffered severe damage when its roof caught fire, with firefighters taking 15 hours to beat the blaze.

Old Stock Exchange spire collapses

Footage of today’s fire in the Danish capital shows the Old Stock Exchange’s iconic spire collapsing amid the flames.

According to local legend, the spire guarded the building against fires and enemy attacks.

Visit Copenhagen explains: “The Old Stock Exchange has many times been mysteriously spared from damage when fires have broken out in neighbouring buildings.”

Having initially housed market stalls, the Børsen was home to the Copenhagen Stock Exchange until 1974, before becoming the headquarters of the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

It was undergoing renovation work ahead of its 400th anniversary next year.