Firefighters and Bystanders rush to rescue Paintings from Inside Burning Stock Exchange in Copenhagen, Denmark

One of Copenhagen's oldest buildings, the Stock Exchange, is on fire and its iconic spire has collapsed. The roof of the 17th-century old Stock Exchange, or Børsen, which was Denmark’s financial center, is engulfed in flames on Tuesday, April 16.

The building is situated next to the Christiansborg Palace where the parliament sits. Its spire reached a height of 56 meters (184 feet).

Huge billows of smoke rose over downtown Copenhagen and people were seen rushing inside the building to save paintings. Danish media reported that an annex of the parliament was being evacuated.

Danish Culture Minister Jakon Engel-Schmidt said it was "touching" to see how passers-by helped emergency services "to save art treasures and iconic images from the burning building."

Police and firefighters were at work outside the building, which was encased in scaffolding. Ambulances were at the scene but there were no reports of casualties.