Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange, a beloved landmark in the Danish capital, was ravaged by fire on Tuesday, reminiscent of the tragic blaze at Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral in 2019. Thankfully, there were no immediate reports of injuries, according to the police.

Videos from the scene depicted individuals rescuing large paintings from the building to safeguard its historic artifacts from the flames. Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen compared the incident to a "Notre-Dame moment," expressing sadness over the loss of an iconic structure.

The historic building, known for its distinctive spire shaped like the tails of intertwined dragons, was undergoing renovation when the fire broke out. The presence of scaffolding complicated firefighting efforts, with the Copenhagen fire department noting that the copper roof was retaining heat, intensifying the challenge.

While the Old Stock Exchange no longer hosts the Danish stock exchange, it remains the headquarters of the Danish Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber described the scene as "terrible" on social media, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.

Authorities evacuated the nearby finance ministry as a precaution, and the cause of the blaze was not immediately determined. The Danish Chamber of Commerce, which has owned the building since 1857, had been working on restoring it to the architectural style of Denmark's King Christian IV, who commissioned its construction in the 17th century.

Reacting to the loss, Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt lamented the destruction of "400 years of Danish cultural heritage" on social media. The incident prompted Copenhagen police to advise against driving in the city's inner area.