According to restaurant owner Marco de Wildt of Javanese Girls, the damage is extensive. “This may take several months before we can open again.”
Damage to the outside is not too bad
Many Alkmaar residents come to take a look on Thursday morning and offer their support to the affected entrepreneurs.
Henk de Kruik of the Alkmaar Historical Society is also shocked by the fire. “It’s just a tragedy for these people,” he says.
From the outside, the damage appears limited, according to Henk. “All historical elements of the buildings have been preserved, so that’s not too bad. But the entrepreneurs will think very differently about this. It’s a drama for them.”