At least ten historic buildings are on fire in the center of Arnhem. That reports provincial newspaper De Gelderlander. Emergency services warn not to come to the city center. A local NL-Alert has also been sent, because the fire brigade suspects that asbestos has been released. Nothing is known about any victims.
The fire started on Thursday morning around a quarter to four in a building of Feestwinkel Solow in the Jansstraat and quickly spread to other retail properties. It is not yet known how the fire could have arisen. Emergency services have evacuated part of the area and advise people on site to wear a mouth cap in connection with toxic smoke and presumably released asbestos.
The fire brigade will certainly leave one complete block with ancient buildings in a controlled manner. It would be about buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries.