In a nightclub North Macedoniaa country in the Balkans,, ” Broke fire last Saturday on Sunday night. At least 59 people died, 155 were admitted to the hospital.
Gary Bootsman was 14 years old when she celebrated New Year’s Eve in Café de Hemel, by Volendammers’ t Hemeltje.
Very traumatic, she describes that particular evening on December 31, 2000. In the pub on the first floor, where hundreds of people were present at that time, Brand broke out.
Fourteen mostly young people did not survive the fire and hundreds were injured. “I had fear of death when I felt myself burning and then choking.”
The aftermath, with burns and the trauma she sustained, was extremely drastic for Gary.
In the meantime, the 38-year-old Volendam is ambassador of the Dutch Burns Foundation and wrote a book about her experiences.
Surprised by similarities
Gary sees many similarities between the fire in Macedonia and the disaster in Volendam. And that surprises her. “Far too many young people were present in the club there too.”
In Volendam, during New Year’s Eve stars were lit who set fire to the Christmas decorations on the ceiling.
In Macedonia, the ceiling ceiled fire through fireworks fountains.