Citizens’ initiative Someren, which previously demonstrated against the arrival of the asylum reception in that place, is shocked by the fire in the intended location. “I have a stomach ache,” says a spokesman. “We think the number of 450 asylum seekers is too high. But this is not a solution.”
A fire broke out in the camping farm at De Hoof in Someren in the night from Wednesday to Thursday. Police believe it was set on fire. From Monday, 450 asylum seekers will be accommodated in the building for a period of two months. It is unclear whether the fire will put an end to the relief plans. The damage in the sleeping quarters would be extensive.
Some of the residents of Someren have recently turned fiercely against the plans of the municipality. Among them is the Someren Citizens’ Initiative, which demonstrated and made itself heard during a walk-in evening.
But several members distance themselves from the fire. One of them is Wendy Struijk, who lives near the camping farm.
‘Not surprised’
“I live around the corner and the fire sirens woke me up. I went to find out what was going on and read that there was a major fire at De Hoof,” says Struijk. “As a citizens’ initiative, we really disapprove of this and distance ourselves from it. You stay away from other people’s things.”
Still, Struijk says he is not surprised. “You sometimes hear it in other municipalities: that people take matters into their own hands if they do not feel heard. In all honesty, I can say that I am not surprised that this happened. But again: we really do not approve of this.”
The Citizens’ Initiative also distances itself from the fire in a written statement. “This is absolutely not the solution and wish those involved a lot of strength in this.” At the same time, she repeats her point of view, which has already been put forward: the number of 450 asylum seekers to be received is ‘too high’ by the committee.
Afraid of nuisance
During a walk-in evening a month ago, the shelter plans were received with derision by 150 visitors. Some women reported feeling unsafe. A hundred people came to a demonstration on the Wilhelminaplein. Residents here also indicated that they were afraid of nuisance.
Struijk, organizer of that demonstration, then said: “We find the size of the group in particular a problem for the relatively small number of inhabitants. We know all the stories of Ter Apel, it’s too much for such a small municipality. Start with about fifty people first.”
In the end, the municipality of Someren did not agree and the plan to accommodate 450 people for two months remained standing. Both the municipality and the Brabant-Zuidoost Safety Region have not yet responded to the fire.
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