Fire catastrophe hits beloved Børsen building in Copenhagen
Folks, you know how we expats in Sweden adore hopping across the city to immerse ourselves in the rich history our neighbour Denmark has to offer. But the recent news is a heartbreaker, especially for history aficionados amongst us – a colossal fire has struck the venerable 17th-century Copenhagen landmark, Børsen, and it ain’t done just yet.
Something old, something ablaze
Constructed way back in the 1600s, the Børsen was a busy trade hub for sailors and merchants back in the day. The building itself could tell some captivating tales if it could talk. Unfortunately, it found itself amidst roaring flames on Tuesday morning, right where some renovation work was ongoing.
Fact Block: Børsen, a historic building in Copenhagen, was designed by Dutch-born Laurentius van Steenwinckel in the 17th century.
Around 50 firefighters braved through the freezing Danish night, hoping to control the fire by Wednesday morning. But the goal proved tricky, thanks to the smouldering embers in the old building. News from Danish media reveals that the rescue team will remain onsite at least another full day before the building can take a breather.
Breaking but not broken
Facing the harsh onslaught, at least half of the once famed Børsen collapsed. Only the exterior brickwork remains of the worst affected parts. The ever-vigilant firefighters persist in their fight to salvage anything they can.
In sync with the firefighting efforts, meticulous tasks are being carried out to ensure the building’s facade does not crumple and sprawl onto the streets, a catastrophe in itself awaiting mitigation.
Stopping traffic, stirring hearts
Expect hefty detours around Børsen, as substantial street closures are in place that will influence city traffic. As the iconic spiral representing entwined dragon tails came crashing to the ground, horrified Copenhagen locals gathered to witness an unforgettable sight.
As of now, the cause behind this unfortunate event remains a mystery. But for us, the expat community settled in the peaceful serenity of Sweden, it’s another reminder of the common cultural heritage we share with our Danish brothers. Buildings can be mended and monuments restored, but let’s remember to hold on to the past that has shaped us.
So let’s raise a toast to the brave firefighters and to Børsen, a testament to Danish history that’ll hopefully rise from the ashes to standing tall once again. After all, it’s the spirit of a place that withstands all calamity, don’t you agree?
