THIS is the nail-biting moment builders caught up in the Copenhagen fire run for their lives as they realise the spire is about to collapse.
Footage shows scaffolders – who were working on the building opposite – panic as it dawns on them they’re in danger of becoming trapped.
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A huge blaze tore through Copenhagen’s 400-year-old Stock Exchange on Tuesday morning, destroying its famous spire as distraught locals watched on.
Footage has emerged showing men working near the inferno narrowly escaping before the spire crashes down.
One of the 14 workers was bricklayer Ole Hansen who said he spotted the fire on the roof and snapped a picture before telling his colleagues to rush to safety.
The 60-year-old told Danish outlet Fagbladet 3F: “There were some stonemasons who shouted: ‘We have to go down, we have to get out’.”
He added that he was left shaken up by the experience and said: “I have never experienced anything like this.”
Apprentice carpenter Claus Wolter Hansen added: “It was just terrible,”
Shocking footage showed one of the Danish capital’s most iconic buildings ablaze as locals scrambled to save its priceless paintings and cried at the site of their “Notre-Dame” moment.
A huge bang was heard as the building’s spire crumbled to the ground – taking with it a piece of the capital’s history.
Police received reports of a fire at 8am local time (7am GMT) and emergency services rushed to the burning Børsen building, which was in the midst of renovations and encased in scaffolding.
Firefighters and ambulances surrounded the site, but there were no reports of injuries.
Harrowing images showed tearful locals watching on as smoke rose over downtown Copenhagen and the flames continued to roar.
Traffic backed up on the nearby streets as people couldn’t tear their eyes from the horror.
One witness told Danish broadcaster DR: “It’s horrible. It was one of the city’s most beautiful buildings.
“I pass by here every day. It’s Notre-Dame all over again.”
Brave local residents were also seen rushing inside the building, which was once Denmark’s financial centre, to save a number of precious paintings.
I saw the tower topple over. It fell like a tree being felled, it was violent
Klavs Lockwood
At midday, firefighters spokesman Jakob Vedsted Andersen said: “The fire is still not under control.”
He told TV2: “The whole building has collapsed inside, so there are pockets of fire,” but added that there is no danger of the fire spreading to other buildings.
The Old Stock Exchange, which is situated next to the Christiansborg Palace where the parliament sits, is a popular tourist attraction.
Danish media reported earlier today that part of the parliament was being evacuated.
Back in 2019 Paris’ historic Notre-Dame cathedral set ablaze tearing through much of the inside of the famous landmark as renovation work was underway on the building.
Local resident Klavs Lockwood, who helped to rescue important artefacts from the fire, told The Telegraph: “I saw the tower topple over. It fell like a tree being felled. It was violent.
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“This is Notre-Dame in Denmark. For us, this is just as big a disaster.”
In an update, Danish rescue services said they could not give “any guarantees” that the facade of 17th-century stock exchange could be saved.
“The facades are still standing, but they are starting to give way as the construction burns away,” director of emergency services Jakob Vedsted Andersen said.
The Renaissance-style building – which dates back to 1625 – serves as headquarters for the Danish Chamber of Commerce.
“We are met by a terrible sight. The Bourse is on fire,” the Chamber of Commerce wrote on X.
Its 184ft spire was shaped like the tails of four dragons intertwined and, according to local legend, was supposed to guard it against enemy attacks and fire.
It also had three crowns at the top, symbolising the great kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
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