Danish police have announced the closure of the investigation into the fire that ravaged more than half of Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange, stating that there is no evidence to suggest it was a criminal act. Despite thorough forensic examinations, surveillance reviews, and witness interviews, the cause of the fire in the historic building remains undetermined.
The destructive fire occurred in the early hours of April 16, engulfing the 400-year-old structure, which was a prominent tourist attraction. The blaze resulted in the collapse of the building's green copper roof and iconic dragon-tail spire, with a section of the outer wall collapsing two days later.
During the fire, numerous individuals, including civilians, entered the building to rescue artworks, successfully saving around 90% of the cultural objects housed within.
Authorities believe the fire originated on the roof, which was undergoing renovation work and covered in scaffolding at the time. The reconstruction efforts commenced on September 24 when King Frederik X of Denmark laid a symbolic 'foundation stone' within a surviving red brick wall.
The Old Stock Exchange, a prime example of Dutch Renaissance architecture in Denmark, was constructed in 1615 and opened its doors in 1624. The building's owner, Denmark's Chamber of Commerce, has pledged to rebuild the landmark.
The incident drew parallels to the devastating fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in April 2019, highlighting the vulnerability of historic structures to such disasters.
