A fire likely caused by fireworks destroyed much of the historic Vondelkerk church in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on New Year’s Eve. According to local media, the historic church, built in 1880, lost its tower, part of the central section and a large part of the roof — but the side walls remained standing, without risk of collapse.
Dozens of homes had to be evacuated due to the fire, which sent rains of ash onto nearby properties. Other neighbors were left without power while firefighters tackled the fire in the listed building and is currently used as a cultural center.
The city said it plans to clean the streets with a specialized vehicle and warned that soot may have settled on gardens, windows, cars and outdoor furniture, advising residents to gently rinse affected surfaces with soap and water. Mayor Femke Halsema called the fire “a very intense and terrible fire in this monumental church,” emphasizing that ensuring the safety and well-being of neighbors is the city’s priority.
Continues after advertising
It wasn’t just this incident in the Netherlands caused by the use of fireworks in the celebration. A hospital specializing in ophthalmology in Rotterdam has reported a large number of young patients this year, with one doctor saying 85% were minors. Most were watching fireworks shows when they were injured.
In Nijmegen, a 17-year-old boy died in an incident involving fireworks shortly after midnight, but police have not yet released details. In Aalsmeer, in a similar incident, a 38-year-old man died.
It was also reported that riot police were called in to deal with youth gangs in several locations. Police union boss Nine Kooiman said an “unprecedented amount of violence” had been directed at emergency services workers.
In Amersfoort, police were pelted with fireworks when they tried to prevent a pile of Christmas trees from being set on fire. In Breda, several cars were set on fire by young people who threw fireworks and paving stones at the police.
There were also clashes between police and young people in several places in The Hague and Roosendaal, and several were arrested. There have also been clashes in the Floradorp district of Amsterdam, where local residents are unhappy with the ban on the traditional Christmas tree bonfire.
News sites report that around 20 municipal areas, including Amsterdam and Zwolle, had banned fireworks for consumers before a nationwide ban set to come into force this year, but the measure was largely ignored.
