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The previous Inventory Alternate constructing in downtown Copenhagen – one of many metropolis's oldest buildings, identified for its elaborate spire with intertwined dragon tails – partially collapsed in a significant hearth on Tuesday morning.
It was not instantly clear what induced the hearth, however pictures and movies on social media confirmed flames on the roof of the construction and darkish clouds of smoke over the town.
“It’s completely horrifying to see Borsen in flames,” Danish Tradition Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt, utilizing the Danish identify for the constructing, mentioned in an interview early Tuesday. “The constructing represents over 400 years of Danish historical past. It is likely one of the world's final buildings within the Dutch Renaissance type, the place commerce befell all through the interval.
Police in Copenhagen mentioned on social media that they’d evacuated a number of close by buildings and urged individuals to keep away from the world.
The Previous Inventory Alternate Constructing, a Seventeenth-century construction that was as soon as Denmark's monetary heart, additionally homes many historic work and different artefacts. Metropolis officers took the dear items out of the constructing after the hearth.
Based on an area information outlet, one of many bigger works taken to safety was Peder Severin Krøyer's “From the Copenhagen Inventory Alternate”. This work, which was painted in 1895 and depicts a number of outstanding Danish monetary figures, stands over 13 toes tall. It took six individuals to get it out safely.
Mr. Engel-Schmidt mentioned the previous inventory trade artifacts “inform us one thing about us as a nation and as a individuals.” He mentioned the constructing has been the backdrop for numerous historic occasions and is deeply embedded within the Danish psyche.
“That's why individuals are standing on the streets and looking out very unhappy,” he mentioned. “It impacts me too.”
A number of different officers mourned the hearth, together with Liberal Occasion Member of Parliament Jan Jorgensen, who known as for the previous inventory trade to be rebuilt. “In all probability Copenhagen's most iconic constructing,” He mentioned on social media, “All forces should unite to revive this previous, lovely home to its full energy and grandeur.”
Based on the Go to Copenhagen tourism web site, the constructing was constructed on the directions of King Christian IV, who acknowledged the significance of commerce and commerce. The unique construction contained at the least 40 market stalls and was surrounded by water on three sides to assist ships unload their cargo simply.
As firefighters battled the blaze Tuesday, dozens of spectators stood quietly throughout the road watching in shock, together with Celeste Bolwinkill Anderson, who mentioned she awoke when she heard her roommate inform her in regards to the hearth. Heard shouting.
“It appears like witnessing historical past firsthand,” he mentioned. “I can't do something however sit right here, very disillusioned in myself, as a result of I didn't go in and see Borsen inside. And now it’s utterly over.”
Maya Tekeli contributed reporting.