Overview
- The blaze, which broke out Thursday morning, was first seen at the rear of Café De Ruif and the adjacent Microtheater on Kerkstraat.
- Local authorities declared GRIP 1 and deployed about nine to ten fire vehicles, including two aerial platforms, and used canal water to fight the fire.
- Around ten nearby homes were evacuated and residents were first taken to a bouwdepot by the Nieuwe Kerk before being sheltered in Café De Engel and other local businesses.
- Both the café and the microtheatre suffered heavy damage, no injuries have been reported, and firefighters have not yet given the brand meester signal or determined whether the fire started inside or outside.
- Crews warn the risk of spread remains because many nearby buildings have old wooden floors, so firefighters will keep checking for hotspots and will only begin a full origin investigation once the area is declared safe.