Large search
The emergency services evacuated the entire building and spent the residents in the town hall. The fire that arose after the explosion was under control about three hours later. Five people were slightly injured.
Special search teams have searched for possible other victims until well into the night. A spokesperson for the Security Region said this morning that no one has been found anymore.
The fire brigade then scaled off. The emergency services still worked last night to temporarily support the building. This is because there was a danger of collapse, reports the safety region.
Residents not yet back
A contractor has since taken over the struts. Then emergency services and police can safely enter to investigate the fire. A police spokesman late NH Radio Knowing that this will probably be in the course of the morning.
When the residents of the complex can return is still unclear. An investigation must first be done into the architectural state of the building, the police said. Anyone who did not go to family or friends last night was offered a hotel room.
Mayor calls Brand terrible
Mayor Maarten Poorter of the municipality of Dijk and Waard mentions the fire and what preceded it. “Everyone in Heerhugowaard sympathizes”, he said yesterday From the location where the big fire raged last night.
“It’s terrible what happened here tonight,” he told NH. “This was probably an explosion and a very big fire,” the mayor said.
View the comment of Mayor Maarten Poorter below: