Spectators watched in disbelief as its famed dragon spire collapsed onto the streets below.
Amidst the chaos, bystanders hurried to salvage invaluable historic paintings.
It was only after hours of effort that the blaze was finally subdued.
Børsen, dating back to the 17th century, stands as one of the city's most ancient structures.
Expressing dismay, culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt lamented the loss of 400 years of Danish cultural legacy.
The cause of the fire in Copenhagen is unknown for the moment.
