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Overnight Car Fires Hit Dutch Cities as Rotterdam Audi Blast Triggers Police Probe

Police are probing suspected fireworks after an Audi exploded in Rotterdam during a surge in year-end 112 calls.

Overview

  • At least five overnight vehicle fires were reported in Rotterdam, Utrecht, Den Bosch, Emmen and Smilde, with no injuries confirmed.
  • In Rotterdam’s Tweebosstraat around 01:00, a parked Audi TT suffered a violent under-hood explosion; police secured material for analysis as crews suspect heavy fireworks.
  • Hours later on Keilestraat in Delfshaven, a fire destroyed a taxibus and two cars, with the cause still under investigation.
  • Utrecht logged a car fire in Overvecht, a rooftop blaze in Oudwijk and a car found in a ditch on Nedereindseweg with no driver located, according to the safety region.
  • Elsewhere, a multi-vehicle crash temporarily closed the A27 near Lexmond before reopening, three suspected burglars were arrested in Abcoude, and Flevoland recorded 18 road deaths in 2025 with final CBS figures expected in spring.