Video..Fire Destroys 150-Year-Old Church in the Netherlands on New Year's Eve

The fire broke out in the church at midnight on New Year's Eve.

Video..Fire Destroys 150-Year-Old Church in the Netherlands on New Year's Eve

A fire broke out in a nearly 150-year-old church in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam, at midnight on New Year's Eve. Dutch police were also called in due to violence and incidents related to fireworks. The fire started shortly after midnight, causing the collapse of the spire of the church, which dates back to 1872.

Media sources reported that Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema described the incident as "severe and terrible," emphasizing that the authorities' priority was ensuring the safety of residents in neighboring homes, who were evacuated. Emergency services reported that burning embers were flying towards the city center.

The church was designed by renowned architect Pieter Kuipers, who also designed the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Central Station. The Catholic church had been used for over a century before being converted into a venue for celebratory events. It is located on the edge of Vondelpark, the city's largest public park.

Authorities issued an urgent warning via the Dutch public alert system, urging residents to stay away from the area due to the heavy smoke. They advised closing windows and doors and turning off ventilation systems. Nearby homes were also evacuated as a precaution.

Other incidents

In Nijmegen, near the German border, one person was killed in an incident involving fireworks.

In Breda, in the south of the Netherlands, authorities arrested five people after police were attacked with Molotov cocktails and paving stones. Cars, including a police vehicle, were set on fire, and clashes broke out. In Roosendaal, near the Belgian border, fireworks were also launched at police officers, and seven people were arrested, according to police.

Tensions also arose in The Hague, where police were targeted with fireworks, according to the Dutch news agency ANP. The strain on the emergency number in the Netherlands has negatively impacted response times, prompting authorities to advise residents to use the number only in life-threatening situations.