- From one second to the next, the walls of the burned-out half of the historic stock exchange in Copenhagen collapsed.
- Stabilizing the walls was of no use, as the fire department reported.
- The fire in the 400-year-old building broke out on Tuesday morning.
Part of the affected side has collapsed, and other areas could follow: “There is still a risk that the remaining facades of Børsen will collapse,” said Simonsen after the facade fell. And the side that the emergency services were able to protect from the fire spreading on Tuesday was also at risk. The fire department says the part will continue to be secured. According to them, there is no knowledge of anyone injured after the collapse.
The fire brigade had previously hoped that the last remains of the damaged side of the well-known structure in the Danish capital could be saved. The emergency services tried to stabilize the walls.
The old stock exchange, which is now home to the Danish Chamber of Commerce, houses, among other things, a large art collection. Several streets and the area around the historic stock exchange remained largely cordoned off.
The building is simply vital for Copenhagen and the entire cultural history of Denmark.
The old stock exchange is considered an important architectural asset in the Scandinavian city. After the fire, numerous supporters spoke out in favor of rebuilding the building. “The building is simply vital for Copenhagen and the entire cultural history of Denmark,” wrote the seven mayors of Copenhagen in a joint statement shortly after the fire – they would do everything to support the reconstruction.
Reconstruction planned
The owner of the building, the Danish Chamber of Commerce, also expressed confidence shortly after the fire: “We have decided with our board that we will definitely rebuild the Børsen,” said Brian Mikkelsen, managing director of the Danish Chamber of Commerce.
The building, which was built 400 years ago, is located on the eastern tip of the island of Slotsholmen on the Holmens Canal opposite the Danish National Bank and is a tourist attraction. The fire raged particularly badly on Tuesday in the part of the building that was scaffolded for restoration work and was closer to Parliament. After a short time, the striking spire of the old stock exchange collapsed.