The Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark — a 17th-century building — went up in flames Tuesday morning, ABC News reported.
The iconic spire of the building collapsed due to the fire, the outlet noted.
The building is right next to the Danish Parliament building, ABC News reported. The cause of the fire is at this time unknown and no injuries have so far been reported, the outlet noted. (RELATED: Denmark Proclaims Frederik X As New King)
“Terrible pictures from the Stock Exchange this morning. 400 years of Danish cultural heritage in flames,” Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Denmark’s Minister of Culture, tweeted in Danish.
Frygtelige billeder fra Børsen her til morgen. 400 års dansk kulturarv i flammer.
— Jakob Engel-Schmidt (@engelschmidt) April 16, 2024
Video of the historic building and its spire aflame was shared by ABC 7. The video mentioned that “people were seen rushing inside [the building] to try to save paintings.”
“I will do everything I can so that the dragon spire will once again tower over Copenhagen. As a symbol of Denmark’s strong history as a trading nation. Thank you to the hundreds of people who today have contributed to saving Denmark’s cultural heritage and history,” Engel-Schmidt vowed in a tweet.
Jeg vil gøre alt hvad jeg kan, for at dragespiret igen kommer til at tårne sig op over København. Som symbol på Danmarks stærke historie som handelsnation. Tak til de hundreder af mennesker, der i dag har bidraget til at redde Danmarks kulturarv og historie.
— Jakob Engel-Schmidt (@engelschmidt) April 16, 2024
“The Old Stock Exchange dates back to 1625 and is one of the oldest buildings in Copenhagen,” Visit Copenhagen noted. The historic site was used in more modern times for “gala dinners, conferences, parties and other events,” the tourist website observed.