This is the devastating moment when the historic spire of the Copenhagen Stock Exchange building collapses onto the street.
Denmark’s historic stock exchange burst into flames after a fire broke out during renovations in Copenhagen today.
Local media reported a “large explosion” early this morning before the 400-year-old spire collapsed, with smoke billowing above the city as locals reported debris from the 183-foot tower crumbling into the street.
a gloomy video Captured by a viewer, it shows the moment the iconic spire is engulfed by raging flames before crashing into the street.
In the 45-second footage, shared on @CatchUpFeed on X today, crowds of stunned onlookers gathered in disbelief to watch as the building appeared to collapse in on itself.
This is the devastating moment the historic spire of the Copenhagen Stock Exchange building collapses onto the street.
Denmark’s historic stock exchange burst into flames after a fire broke out during renovations in Copenhagen today
Flames from the fire quickly climbed the spire, which stood 56 meters (184 feet) high, engulfing the pinnacle of the 17th-century building in a matter of seconds.
The spire then appears to slowly bend under the intense heat of the flames, before succumbing to the ravages of the fire and crashing to the ground in a cascade of debris and smoke.
Early reports claimed that parts of the spire had broken off and fallen onto the street at 7:30 am BST (8:30 am local time).
A large police and fire presence remains on the scene around the Børsen building, where scaffolding is seen to have collapsed in the inferno.
Surrounding streets in the Danish capital have been closed and travelers have been urged to avoid the city center as authorities desperately try to fight the fire.
After ambulances were called to the scene, there have been no reports of injuries since.
Once the financial heart of Denmark, the Børsen is located next to Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament, and dates back to 1625.
The building is identifiable by its 183-foot twisted ‘Dragespir’ (Dragon Needle) and three crowns on top, representing the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Early reports claimed that parts of the spire had broken off and fallen onto the street at 7:30 am BST (8:30 am local time).
The building is identifiable by its 183-foot twisted ‘Dragespir’ (Dragon Spire) and three crowns at the top, representing the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Firefighters battled to rescue historic paintings from the building, which is reportedly currently being “locked down” to prevent the “extensive” fire from spreading.
Crowds of stunned onlookers gathered in disbelief to watch as the building appeared to collapse in on itself.
Once the financial heart of Denmark, the Børsen is located next to Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament, and dates back to 1625.
Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Danish Culture Minister, said 400 years of cultural heritage had burned as artefacts were rushed out of the fire.
Other videos from the scene showed firefighters struggling to rescue historic paintings from the building, which is reportedly currently being “locked down” to prevent the “extensive” fire from spreading.
“The fire makes it too dangerous to fight from inside the building,” said Jakob Vedsted Andersen, head of the emergency operation. “Our plan is to block the fire from spreading to the other half (of the building).
The building had undergone renovations to restore its original façade and correct errors made during an attempt in the 19th century.
It comes after ten people died in the inferno at a tower block in Spain, which had been dubbed ‘Spain’s Grenfell’, despite the heroic efforts of firefighters who braved the devastating blaze in February.