Mayor Derk Alssema of the municipality of Gilze and Rijen responded to the fatal fire on Hoofdstraat in Rijen on Wednesday evening. “What we were so afraid of has become reality,” he wrote on Facebook.
A body was found in the house on Wednesday evening. The Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) is conducting research to officially determine the identity of the victim. It is still not clear whether it concerns resident Kees, a police spokesperson said on Wednesday evening.
Yet Mayor Alssema talks about resident Kees in his message. “It makes us sad that we have to continue in Rijen without you, you leave behind a place that cannot be filled,” he writes.
‘Everyone knows Kees’
He describes Kees as a sweet, committed and colorful man who wanted the best for his fellow man. “Many fellow villagers know him by sight or have spoken to him before. I also regularly had a chat with him and then we talked about the climate and the state of the world that he was concerned about. Kees was very involved. Everyone knows Kees and Kees knew everyone.” The mayor’s thoughts are with Kees’ loved ones and wishes them a lot of strength.
Dozens of local residents gathered at the house earlier in the evening, where the investigation is still in full swing. They hope for a miracle, but fear the worst. “No one else came there, so it must be Kees,” said a neighbor.
Lots of comments
Local residents describe the situation as ‘very sad’. The fire broke out Tuesday night. When the fire brigade arrived, the house was already on fire. Part of the house collapsed while the fire was being extinguished. Due to the risk of collapse, emergency workers could not immediately enter the building to look for possible victims.
Many people responded to the mayor’s message. Local residents are upset by the situation and praise Alssema’s words. “Warm, sweet words for a sweet, special man,” Nathalie writes. “Beautifully described, that’s how Kees had a chat with everyone, he will be missed,” writes Marlies.