Denmark - Copenhagen's 17th century Old Stock Exchange burns down, no injuries reported, great cultural loss, 16 Apr 2024

[iamshadow21]

'Our Notre Dame moment': Spire collapses as fire rages at Copenhagen's historic stock exchange

A fire has broken out at Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange, one of the Danish capital's best-known buildings, engulfing its spire which collapsed onto the roof in a scene reminiscent of the 2019 blaze at Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral.

www.abc.net.au

They're comparing it to the loss of Notre Dame. People were rushing into the burning building to save paintings.

From the scaffolding and building wrap around the outside I do wonder if it's going to be the same sort of reason as Notre Dame - sparks from renovation work.

EDIT: I am aware I typed the year wrong, I've already asked a mod to fix it.

 

[iamshadow21]

The Guardian has a live blog running for this incident.

Europe live: fire breaks out at Copenhagen’s old stock exchange

Dramatic images capture blaze at historic bourse where spire has collapsed

www.theguardian.com

According to this they got many artworks out - but not all.

 

[iamshadow21]

In case you're thinking of a standard portrait size of artwork, think again. At least one artwork saved looks about the size of a van. This sky article seems to have the best pictures of its rescue.

Fire breaks out at Old Stock Exchange building in Copenhagen

The blaze engulfed the Old Stock Exchange's iconic spire, which collapsed into the roof.

news.sky.com

 

[iamshadow21]

Somewhat sadly ironically, the beautiful dragon spire was traditionally thought to protect the building from enemies, including fire.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/fire-breaks-out-copenhagens-historic-stock-exchange-spire-collapses-2024-04-16/

 

[iamshadow21]

Putting this here, for those who want to know what it looked like before the fire, and learn a little of its history.

Børsen - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[iamshadow21]

The artwork loss may not be as bad as it could have been - it sounds like a percentage had been removed recently because of the renovation work.

Bless this fire and rescue person for being upset he couldn't manage getting a statue weighing several tonnes out of the building. The building which is currently very much on fire.

Europe live: fire breaks out at Copenhagen’s old stock exchange

Dramatic images capture blaze at historic bourse where spire has collapsed

www.theguardian.com

 

[iamshadow21]

This Mirror article has a lot of photos and a lot of different statements from witnesses, both those with a deep connection to the building and general public.

Old Stock Exchange spire collapses as huge fire rips through historic building

Shocking images show a massive fire ripping through the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, one of the city's oldest buildings, with its famous spire collapsing into the street

www.mirror.co.uk

 

[iamshadow21]

According to the Copenhagen Post, it sounds as though the fire spread quickly though the elevator shaft. (Enjoy the slightly quirky English used, it's lovely.)

Copenhagen’s historic Boersen building goes into flames - The Copenhagen Post

Several streets in the center of Copenhagen were closed during rush hour this morning due to the heavy fire at Børsen. The iconic spire has collapsed. At 7.36am, the first message of the fire in the historic building came in. Emergency services and army are present on a large scale to keep...

cphpost.dk

 

[iamshadow21]

The Mail seems to have a lot of the same content as everyone else, but I think their photo of a middle aged man in floods of tears watching the Borsen burn is new. I think that from what I've read, the parallels in significance to the burning of Notre Dame are very appropriate.

EDIT: A few more pictures added, now, including ones of the restoration work that was going on, of the roof.

Copenhagen's stock exchange goes up in flames during renovations

A large police and fire presence remains on the scene around the Børsen building in Copenhagen. Surrounding streets have been closed off and commuters urged to avoid the inner city.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[iamshadow21]

A slideshow on Washington Post.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/photography/interactive/2024/photos-fire-breaks-out-denmark-stock-exchange-building/

There's a terrible, exquisite beauty in the photos of the spire aflame. I can mourn the loss of something lovely but at the same time feel that beauty deeply.

 

[iamshadow21]

"A piece of Danish history is on fire," says Danish Prime Minister. "It hurts to see."

Spire collapses on one of Europe's most iconic buildings after huge fire

Ordinary people ran in to rescue historic artwork.

metro.co.uk

 

[iamshadow21]

Longer comment from the Prime Minister, and statement from the Royal Family. Sadly, it is the former Queen's birthday today. They have cancelled at least one celebration that was planned.

https://www.thelocal.dk/20240416/fire-breaks-out-at-copenhagens-historic-stock-exchange-building

 

[iamshadow21]

In this article by CNN, it says that two and a half hours after the fire broke out (which was at 8:30am, local time) nearly half the building had been destroyed.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/16/style/copenhagen-old-stock-exchange-fire-intl/index.html

 

[iamshadow21]

Berlingske has a live blog going. I don't speak or read Danish, but the translate button on my Chrome browser on my phone works a treat.

Børsen i København er i flammer – følg med direkte

Læs mere her.

www.berlingske.dk

Sounds like there is risk of building collapse, and the smoke which had been turning whiter (good) has become thicker and blacker again (bad).

They're pouring water from four ladders into the building, some into areas that are not yet on fire to try and prevent the fire spreading.

The copper roof which was hindering the fire fighters is gone - I don't know if that is as a result of the fire or because of the machinery they were talking about bringing in to peel it open.

Also, there has been 'massive collapse' of the scaffolding and possibly the building behind it.

Fortunately, water for the effort is not an issue in Copenhagen - the firefighters are able to pump up water directly from the canals.

 

[iamshadow21]

According to the Berlingske feed, despite some articles from other media outlets saying that the restoration work hadn't started for the day due to the early hour, there were in fact at least two teams at work at the time. A team of masons and a team of carpenters and joiners. Both were on the scaffolding. The spokesperson from the masons said he saw fire running along the ridge of the roof. He took a picture then evacuated with all haste with his crew.

In addition to building staff and members of the public who volunteered, it sounds like forty military conscripts were dispatched to help save significant pieces of art and furniture from the flames.

Also, the smoke from the fire is large enough to be seen from Sweden.

 

[iamshadow21]

Berlingske is reporting there will be a press conference at 4pm local time (in a bit over half an hour).

 

[iamshadow21]

Press conference is being live streamed now on Berlingske, for those who understand Danish.

 

[iamshadow21]

Traditional investigation begins now.

HUNDREDS of artworks saved!

They even ALMOST rescued that enormous statue! (Let's hope it's got through the fire intact - much more robust than the oil paintings, after all.)

EDIT: Live blog is now saying they DID save the statue, despite it being nailed down! That would be incredible if it's true!

 

[scandinavian girl]

Pres conference is being live streamed now on Berlingske, for those who understand Danish.

Thank you for your updates, I found out about this entering websleuths and denmark is my neighboring country, It is so sad when old historic building dies, 400 years old.

 

[iamshadow21]

Thank you for your updates, I found out about this entering websleuths and denmark is my neighboring country, It is so sad when old historic building dies, 400 years old.

I'm glad you found it useful! I've just created this thread and updated it on my lonesome because I'm Australian and was awake, when I knew most of the user base in the US is asleep. I'm so sorry for your loss. I've never been to Copenhagen, and it looks like it was a glorious building that was deeply significant to everyone.

If it makes it any easier, in the press conference, they were unequivocally stating that it WILL be rebuilt, whatever the cost. I guess the benefit of it happening to Notre Dame five years ago is that people will truly believe it IS possible for it to be restored to them. I have faith it will be done beautifully, rising from the ashes like a phoenix.