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Fire Devastates Amsterdam’s Vondelkerk on New Year’s Night

Investigators are examining whether fireworks caused the blaze.

Overview

  • The fire started shortly before 1 a.m. in the church tower and spread to the roof and spire, which then collapsed.
  • Firefighters brought the blaze under control by Thursday morning after evacuations, and no injuries were reported at the church.
  • Amsterdam authorities said the 50-meter tower fell and the roof was badly damaged, yet the main structure should remain intact.
  • Some reports described the building as a total loss, reflecting conflicting assessments of the church’s structural fate.
  • Nationwide New Year disorder stretched emergency services, with a rare mobile alert, two pyrotechnics-related deaths, and three serious injuries reported.