TOWER OF FIRE Watch as 400-year-old Old Stock Exchange spire collapses in inferno as locals weep in Copenhagen’s ‘Notre Dame moment’

A MASSIVE fire has torn through Copenhagen's 400-year-old Stock Exchange this morning, engulfing its iconic spire which collapsed onto the roof.

Shocking footage shows one of the Danish capital's most iconic buildings ablaze as thick plumes of smoke billow high into the sky and locals rush to save the priceless paintings inside.

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Copenhagen's 400-year-old Stock Exchange engulfed in flames this morningCredit: AFP

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Firefighters desperately dousing the flames at the Old Stock Exchange in CopenhagenCredit: Reuters

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Huge plumes of dark smoke billowed out of the buildingCredit: AP

Police received reports of a fire at 8am local time (7am GMT) and emergency services rushed to the burning Børsen building, which was being renovated and was encased in scaffolding.

Firefighters and ambulances surrounded the site, but there were no reports of injuries.

Harrowing images show distraught locals watching on as smoke rises over downtown Copenhagen and the flames continue to rip through the building.

Brave local residents were seen rushing inside the building, which was once Denmark's financial centre, to save a number of precious paintings.Traffic backed up on the nearby streets as people watched on in horror as huge teams of firefighters battled against the flames.

The historic landmark, which is situated next to the Christiansborg Palace where the parliament sits, is a popular tourist attraction.

Danish media reported that part of the parliament was being evacuated.

Copenhagen police asked people to avoid driving through the inner part of the city.One witness told Danish state broadcaster DR: "It's horrible. It was one of the city's most beautiful buildings.

"I pass by here every day. It's Notre Dame all over again."

Back in 2019, terrifying scenes saw Paris' historic Notre Dame cathedral set ablaze destroying much of the inside of the famous landmark as renovation work was underway on the building.

The Old Stock Exchange Renaissance-style building - which dates back to 1625 - serves as headquarters for the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

"We are met by a terrible sight. The Bourse is on fire," the Chamber of Commerce wrote on X.

Like Notre Dame, it had also been under renovation when the fire broke out.

Its 184ft spire was shaped like the tails of four dragons intertwined and, according to legend, is said to guard it against enemy attacks and fire.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

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A man cries at the site of the 400-year-old building on fireCredit: AP

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Police have closed the road around the blazeCredit: EPA

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Firefighters walk out of the main entrance as the Old Stock Exchange burnsCredit: AP

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Locals appear to be rescuing a priceless paintings from the roaring flamesCredit: Twitter/@MadsBis

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The moment its famous spire collapsed and smashed down onto the roofCredit: AFP

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Emergency workers saving more pieces of artwork from insideCredit: EPA

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Locals helping to carry more paintings and other objects as a fire burnsCredit: EPA

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The flames were getting under control by 10am local timeCredit: Reuters

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The Old Stock Exchange in Copenhagen in 2019