The 17th century building was commissioned by King Christian IV
The 17th century building was commissioned by King Christian IV AFP

A huge fire Tuesday at Copenhagen's 17th century former stock exchange toppled the historic building's landmark spire which was undergoing renovation.

The 54-metre (180-foot) spire disappeared into flames at the Borsen, which was commissioned by King Christian IV and built between 1619 and 1640, an AFP journalist saw.

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.

Dramatic photographs showed huge plumes of black smoke emerging from the building. Police said on X they had blocked off parts of the city centre as part of fire fighting efforts.

"We are witnessing a terrible spectacle," the Danish Chamber of Commerce said.

The building, one of the oldest in the Danish capital, was undergoing renovation work when it caught fire, whose cause was yet unknown.

The spire disappeared in flames
The spire disappeared in flames AFP