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Danish police close investigation into fire at Old Stock Exchange
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Danish police close investigation into fire at Old Stock Exchange

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Danish police said Tuesday they are closing their investigation into the devastating fire that destroyed more than half of Copenhagen’s Old Stock Exchange, saying there is no indication that the blaze was the result of a criminal act.

Despite extensive forensic investigations, a review of surveillance and the interview of a large number of witnesses, “it is not possible to determine the cause of the fire in the historic stock exchange building,” said Brian Belling, the Copenhagen police officer in charge of the investigation.

“It is our assessment that we have explored all relevant investigative avenues in the case,” Belling said in a statement, adding that no one has been charged in the case.

In early morning of April 16tha violent fire tore through the 400-year-old building, a major tourist attraction. The fire toppled its green copper roof and iconic dragon tail spire. Two days later, a large portion of the building’s exterior wall collapsed inward.

As the fire raged, many, including ordinary people, ventured to save works of art and about 90% of the cultural objects were saved from the building.

The fire is believed to have started on the roof, which had been encased in scaffolding due to ongoing renovation work due to be completed for its 2024 anniversary.

On September 24thDenmark’s King Frederik X laid the “foundation stone” in part of a red brick wall that survived the fire in mid-April, marking the start of a years-long reconstruction plan.

The owner of the downtown exchange, the Danish Chamber of Commerce, said it would rebuild the landmark, which is considered a leading example of the Dutch Renaissance style in Denmark. Construction began in 1615 and it was first opened in 1624.

The fire is reminiscent of the April 2019 fire at the 800-year-old. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.