Iconic Børsen Building in Copenhagen Damaged by Fire, Prompting Rebuilding Efforts

The Børsen building, a historic 400-year-old previous stock exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark, suffered a devastating fire on Tuesday morning that gutted large parts of the structure and toppled its iconic dragon-tail spire. The fire, which broke out during renovation work in preparation for the building's 400th anniversary celebrations later this year, has drawn comparisons to the 2019 Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris.

Firefighters and emergency services worked tirelessly to save priceless paintings and other valuables from the burning building. "The most valuable paintings and items inside were saved," said a spokesperson for the Danish fire service. However, more than half of the building was destroyed, including the green copper roof and the famous spire.

The Danish Chamber of Commerce, which owns the Børsen and had its headquarters there, has vowed to reconstruct the historic building. "We will rebuild the Børsen, no matter what," stated the organization's CEO. However, the question of who will finance the reconstruction, estimated to cost millions or even billions of Danish kroner and take years to complete, remains unanswered.

Lessons are being drawn from the restoration of Notre Dame, and a Danish team is expected to visit the cathedral to learn from new 3D and AI techniques that could aid in recreating the historic materials of the Børsen. Copenhagen's mayor has spoken with the Paris mayor about the Notre-Dame restoration process.

Why this matters: The Børsen building is considered a leading example of Dutch Renaissance architecture in Denmark and is a cherished piece of the city's history. Its destruction has been a significant loss for Danish culture, with residents expressing sadness over the loss of the iconic dragon spire from Copenhagen's skyline.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, which may take months to determine. After the fire services finished their work, the building was handed over to police for forensic. Traffic has partially reopened near the site, and the recovery process is underway, despite setbacks such as a large section of the outer wall collapsing inward and further damage caused by falling scaffolding. As the people of Copenhagen await the rebuilding of this landmark, the Børsen's fate remains a matter of public interest and discussion.

Key Takeaways

• Historic 400-year-old Børsen building in Copenhagen suffered devastating fire.
• Fire gutted large parts of the structure and toppled its iconic spire.
• Priceless paintings and valuables were saved, but over half the building destroyed.
• Danish Chamber of Commerce vows to rebuild the historic building.
• Cause of fire under investigation, recovery process underway despite setbacks.