Copenhagen, 18 April 2024 (dpa/MIA) — The walls of the part of Copenhagen's landmark Old Stock Exchange building burnt in a devastating fire have collapsed, a fire brigade spokesman said on Thursday evening.

Half of the building burned and the roof was destroyed in the blaze that broke out on Tuesday morning. Now, the walls of that half of the building have collapsed despite efforts to stabilize them, the spokesman said.

The fire was brought under control on Tuesday afternoon but the fire brigade was preparing to use containers outside the walls in a bid to stabilize the historic masonry.

Before the collapse, the fire brigade had spent the day trying to shore up the walls by setting up containers with concrete blocks that are connected with scaffolding around the building.

They were also set to remove rubble and debris by crane.

They were planning to spend Friday clearing all the rubble and other debris on the floor of the building first.

After the fire broke out, the fire brigade managed to ensure that the fire did not spread to other parts of the building.

The top of the historic spire of the building was also saved, not having been damaged despite falling from the burning exchange.

Given it is unsafe, it remains unclear how long the fire brigade's work will continue at the building.

It was also unclear when the police will gain access to begin their investigation into the cause of the fire at the historic building, known as the Børsen in Denmark. The area worst affected was the part of the building closest to parliament.

Constructed in the 17th century, the building was no longer being used as a stock exchange. It had been undergoing restoration work and was covered with scaffolding.

Located on the eastern tip of the island of Slotsholmen on the Holmens Kanal street opposite the National Bank of Denmark, the landmark was a tourist attraction.

There was great relief when part of the spire was handed to the building's owners, the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

Brian Mikkelsen, the chamber's chief executive, received the spire's tip from an emergency worker on Wednesday morning, calling it "a little light in the darkness" in a post on X.