Seven weeks after the dramatic fire which ravaged the emblematic building of the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, 95% of the collections stored there were saved from the flames.
It’s time to take stock after the fire that ravaged the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen in mid-April. Although the building dating from the 17th century was partially destroyed – including its emblematic dragon tail spire – 95% of the collections it contained were saved from the flames.
Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Danish Minister of Culture: “Almost 95% of the artistic and cultural heritage of the Stock Exchange was saved thanks to the fact that the Chamber of Commerce had a very effective plan in place on how to save the artifacts,” the minister recalled on Tuesday.
As the fire ravaged the building, firefighters but also building employees and numerous volunteers managed to evacuate in extremis some 350 artifacts and other paintings. These heroes were thanked by the minister.
On April 16, more than half of the building, which was being renovated, disappeared in the fire. Two days later, a large part of the building’s exterior wall collapsed. The fire is believed to have started on the roof of the building, which was enveloped in scaffolding. An investigation is currently underway.