In a remarkable rescue operation, almost all cultural artifacts have been saved from Børsen, the old Stock Exchange building in Copenhagen, after the fire that started early Tuesday morning.
This was announced by Brian Mikkelsen, CEO of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, during a visit by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at the scene of the fire. “We have saved 99 percent of the items that were inside,” says a relieved Brian Mikkelsen. He describes a scene where police and firefighters worked hand in hand under dramatic circumstances to secure the valuable artifacts. “Police officers were on top of each other, and firefighters just kept coming. It was intense,” he says.
Among the rescued works was one of the most famous paintings by the Skagen painter P.S. Krøyer, “From the Stock Exchange in Copenhagen,” which was seen being carried out of the building on TV screens. The rescue operation involved both professionals from emergency services and ordinary citizens, including Brian Mikkelsen himself, who all helped to carry the artworks to safety.