Tragedy Strikes Copenhagen's Historic Old Stock Exchange Building
As Paris celebrated five years of recovery since its Notre Dame Cathedral erupted into flames, Copenhagen experienced its own blaze of tragedy at a historic building. The Danish city's old stock exchange building, which dates back to the 17th century, erupted into flames on Tuesday in what onlookers could only describe as a tragedy.
"This is our Notre Dame," a local craftsman told Danish TV, according to BBC.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but the flames have ravaged the historic building. The old stock exchange, otherwise known as Børsen, dates back to 1625 and is one of Copenhagen's oldest buildings, the website maintained by Danish Tourist Offices says.
Included in the damage is the building's iconic spire, which legends say protects the building "against enemy attacks and fires," according to the tourism site. The spire, which was designed in the shape of entwined dragons' tails, stood at 184 feet tall.
"The Old Stock Exchange has many times been mysteriously spared from damage when fires have broken out in neighbouring (sic) buildings," the site says.
But on Tuesday, it fell. Video from the Associated Press shows the spire crashing down.
Early this morning, a somber scene greeted the residents of Copenhagen, as a thick plume of smoke hung over the city's rooftops, signaling the devastating fire at Børsen. The King of Denmark, Frederik X, expressed his sorrow in a statement, remarking on the loss of an integral part of the country's architectural heritage.
Describing Børsen as a "distinctive landmark of Copenhagen" that has stood the test of time, the King emphasized its significance to generations past and present. The historic building has long been cherished as a symbol of the capital and a source of national pride.
This is a developing story.
