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Utrecht City-Centre Explosion Triggers Major Fire and Building Collapse, Gas Suspected

Authorities identify a gas blast as the leading theory pending safe access for investigators.

Overview

  • Four people were injured and dozens of residents were evacuated after one or more blasts ignited a large fire on Visscherssteeg in Utrecht’s historic center.
  • Urban Search and Rescue dogs found no signs of living victims under the rubble, but unstable structures are slowing careful, manual searches.
  • Multiple buildings were heavily damaged or collapsed, with wide debris and broken windows across nearby streets and businesses.
  • Stedin reports it had no works underway in the area; power to about 40 homes and gas to roughly 34 were cut to protect responders.
  • Separate incidents this week include a repeat roof fire during repair work in Eindhoven, suspected vehicle arson under police investigation in Waalwijk, and a contained container fire in a Nijkerk business unit with no injuries.