Historic Copenhagen Spire Engulfed in Fire

A huge fire devastated Copenhagen's 17th century former stock exchange toppling the historic building's landmark spire in front of horrified witnesses.

The 54-meter spire disappeared into flames at the Borsen building, which has been undergoing renovation.

The spire snapped and crashed down onto the street below. Dramatic photographs showed huge plumes of black smoke emerging from the building.

The Borsen building, commissioned by King Christian IV and built between 1619 and 1640, is one of Copenhagen's best known landmarks.

The images recalled the disaster at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, almost five years ago to the day when it's spire was also destroyed by a fire.

Images from the scene showed several people rescuing works of art, including a painting of the building.

Located next to the Danish parliament, Christiansborg Palace, the building housed the stock exchange until the 1970s and currently serves as the headquarters of the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

Police said they had blocked off parts of the city center as part of the fire fighting efforts.

"I don't have the overview yet about how many things have been destroyed but I can say that there will be rooms that we haven't entered yet but there has been a registration of all the paintings and all the furniture we have taken out of the building," said Jakob Vedsted Andersen, director of emergency.

"The facades are still standing, but they are starting to give way as the structure burns away. We are trying everything we can to protect the facades, but we cannot give any guarantees," he added.

The red-brick and copper roof building, one of the oldest in the Danish capital, was undergoing renovation work when it caught fire, the cause of which was yet unknown.