The Bersen Stock Exchange, which is almost 400 years old, caught fire in Copenhagen - the famous 54-meter spire in the shape of twisted dragon tails has already collapsed fom the building.
This was reported by DR.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning, April 16. It is noted that one of the most famous buildings in the Danish capital has recently been undergoing reconstruction. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and there is no information about the victims.
Everyone who was in the building was evacuated and precious items were taken out, including, in particular, the painting by P. S. Kroehler "Copenhagen Stock Exchange".
"The walls are filled with priceless paintings, there is a library with great treasures, and then there is the architecture and the building itself. It is truly a disaster that we are seeing now," said museum inspector Benjamin Asmussen.
According to Professor Mogens A. Morgen from the School of Architecture in Aarhus, Bersen has survived many major Copenhagen fires, but according to old myths, the building has always remained intact thanks to its famous dragon spire.
"It's really sad to think about this story now that the spire has fallen," the professor said.
Rescuers are working at the scene to extinguish the fire, the area is cordoned off by police, and nearby roads are blocked. Drivers are asked to take detour routes.
The Stock Exchange is located on Slotsholmen Street in the heart of Copenhagen and is one of its oldest buildings. It was designed by brothers Lorenz and Hans van Steenwinckel, but built by King Christian IV's. The construction was completed with the installation of the spire in 1625. It functioned as a commodity exchange until the XIX century. Today, the stock exchange is owned by Dansk Erhverv, and the building is protected because of its cultural and historical value.
