Facade of the old stock exchange in Copenhagen collapsed after fire

The masonry of the burned-out half of the historic stock exchange in Copenhagen has collapsed. Half the walls of the building collapsed despite stabilization, a fire department spokesman in the Danish capital said.

After the devastating fire in the old stock exchange in Copenhagen, the facade of the historic building collapsed. “Unfortunately, the facade along the Frederiksholms Canal collapsed,” explained the emergency services on the online service X. No one was injured and all workers were brought to safety. Due to the collapse of the facade and the new situation, a press conference will take place on Christiansborg Palace Square.

Hours earlier, emergency services had tried to save the historic walls after the devastating fire by placing containers of concrete blocks connected to scaffolding around the building. For better stabilization, the walls should have been secured from the inside – but to do this, rubble and other debris from the floor of the exchange would first have had to be removed.

Artworks saved from flames

The fire in one of the Danish capital’s landmarks broke out under the copper roof on Tuesday and spread downwards from the roof. For hours, huge flames shot into the sky and thick black smoke rose. The striking 54 meter high tower of the 17th century building also collapsed. About half of the red brick building burned down.

The Old Stock Exchange was considered one of the city’s landmarks and was a popular tourist destination. It was being restored at the time of the fire and housed a large art collection. Several hundred of the numerous works of art were able to be brought to safety from the flames with the help of passers-by.