Fire destroys Copenhagen’s historic Old Stock Exchange

Firefighters work as smoke rises out of the Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark Picture: Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP

A fire has swept through one of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings, destroying about half of the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange and collapsing its famous dragon-tail spire, as passers-by rushed to help emergency services save priceless paintings and other valuables.

The blaze broke out on the building’s roof during renovations, but police said it was too early to pinpoint the cause.