Copenhagen 's historic old stock exchange building is currently ablaze as emergency services rush to dampen flames and art-lovers desperately try and salvage the priceless paintings inside. Dramatic pictures and footage continue to circulate across social media as flames leap from its roof and plumes of smoke billow into the sky.
Traffic towards the city on Knippelsbro is blocked. We expect the area to be cordoned off for a longer period of time.
We encourage road users to find alternative routes. Art enthusiasts entered the burning building in an attempt to salvage some of the prized pieces housed inside its walls, according to Politiken. Danish culture minister Jakon Engel-Schmidt mourned as years of Danish cultural heritage went up in flames in the building situated next to the Christiansborg Palace where the parliament sits.
However, he noted it was "touching" to see passers-by help emergency services "to save art treasures and iconic images from the burning building," he told DR. The Danish Chamber of Commerce has its headquarters in the building, with its head Brian Mikkelsen reportedly among those helping to carry paintings out of the building, telling reporters the events are "a national disaster". Another man jumped off his bicycle on his way to work to help in the effort.
The priceless painting appears undamaged, judging from a recent post on X above depicting people carrying it to safety. The area was cordoned off as up to 90 members of an army unit were also deployed to "secure valuables," Denmark's armed forces said. The 17th-century old stock exchange is one of Denmark's oldest buildings and was undergoing major renovations before the fires broke out as it was shrouded in scaffolding and plastic. Fires rapidly spread to its metre tall spire, which featured four dragons whose tails were twisted into a spear and three crowns, symbolising close ties with its Norwegian and Swedish neighbours.
