Copenhagen, April 16 (IANS/DPA) The historic stock exchange in the Danish capital Copenhagen is on fire with the top of the building’s tower collapsing in flames on Tuesday morning. The cause of the fire is still unclear as the area remains cordoned off for safety.
Parts of the roof have collapsed and the fire is not yet under control. Around 120 firefighters and 60 armed forces members were deployed. The blaze has torn through half of the building, with historical paintings being carried away by individuals.
Denmark’s Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen expressed shock over the fire, comparing it to the Notre Dame incident. The Provianthuset, a wing of Christiansborg Palace, was evacuated, affecting parliament operations. Meetings at the Ministry of Finance were also canceled.
The stock exchange, a tourist attraction, is on the island of Slotsholmen. The building, completed in 1625, was undergoing renovations. The restoration aimed to bring back the original appearance of the façade, correcting 19th-century work. The spire is a symbol of the city.
