Massive fire hits Denmark’s historic stock exchange

Denmark's historic old stock exchange building in the centre of Copenhagen has been engulfed by fire.

Copenhagen residents looked on in horror Tuesday as it was engulfed in flames and its 180-foot spire in the shape of four entwined dragon tails collapsed. Everyone inside the building was able to leave.

Known as the Borsen, the 400-year-old building served as the stock exchange until the 1970s.

Now it houses the headquarters of the Danish Chamber of Commerce. Dramatic video from the scene showed huge plumes of black smoke billowing from the building and people rushing to rescue some of the historic paintings housed there.

The building, dating back to 1625, is a stone's throw from Denmark's parliament, the Folketing, housed in the old royal palace of Christiansborg castle. Danish media said the nearby square was being evacuated.

The old stock exchange was being renovated and had been shrouded in scaffolding and protective plastic covering.