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

One of Europe’s most iconic buildings is collapsing after being engulfed in flames in the early hours of this morning.

The Old Stock Exchange – referred to as the Notre Dame of Denmark – is on fire.

Footage shows the historic building Børsen in Copenhagen, which celebrated its 400-year anniversary in 2024, burning.

Its distinctive 56-metre spire, shaped as the tails of four dragons twined together, is seen engulfed in flames moments before its collapse.

The spire of the Old Stock Exchange engulfed in flames (Picture: AP)

Smoke rising into the sky above central Copenhagen (Picture: EPA)

The moment the spire collapses (Picture: AFP)

Plumes of grey smoke are filling the sky above the Danish capital as people who were on their way to work gathered at the scene, watching in disbelief as one of their top tourist attractions burns.

The inferno, just moments away from government buildings, can be spotted from miles away in Copenhagen.

Emergency services arrives at the scene and urgent work is underway to rescue all the famous artwork stored at the Old Stock Exchange.

Authorities are seen carrying out multiple paintings – one by one – as the inferno rages. Passers-by also rushed in to help retrieve whatever they can.

Danish culture minister, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, tweeted: ‘Terrible pictures from the Stock Exchange this morning. 400 years of Danish cultural heritage in flames.’

People remove paintings and other objects from the historic Boersen building (Picture: AFP)

Police officers at the scene of the inferno (Picture: AFP)

Employers’ association Dansk Erhverv, which are based in Børsen, said: ‘We are faced with a terrible sight.

‘The stock market is on fire. Everyone is asked to stay away from the area around Slotsholmen. The fire authorities are on the scene.’

Police have blocked multiple roads in central Copenhagen and people are being urged to avoid the scene.

Firefighters are continuing to fight the inferno, but there are fears it could spread.

The building before today’s inferno (Picture: Getty)

People have been urged to avoid the scene (Picture: EPA)

The finance ministry, and residencies are being evacuated as a result.

Police said on X: ‘We are now in the process of evacuating the buildings from the Ministry of Finance and down towards the water. Work continues to reroute the traffic around Slotsholmen’

This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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