Overview
- The blaze broke out around 1 a.m. local time in the 19th‑century church’s tower, collapsing the spire and much of the roof while the exterior walls remained standing.
- Firefighters brought the incident under control by late morning, evacuating dozens of nearby homes and temporarily sheltering residents in a local yoga studio.
- Authorities have not determined the cause; neighbor reports of fireworks near the tower have not been confirmed by the fire department.
- The incident unfolded during a New Year’s night marked by heavy fireworks use, two fireworks‑related deaths, and reported attacks on police and emergency crews.
- Mayor Femke Halsema mourned the loss of a neighborhood landmark designed by Pierre Cuypers, which has served as a cultural venue and office space since its closure as a church in 1977.