The Riekerhaven container complex in Amsterdam Nieuw-West will receive additional safety measures following advice from the fire service. In a report on fire safety, the fire service states that the residential blocks comply with legislation and regulations, but also notes that this legislation cannot completely prevent the risk of a rapidly spreading fire.
Mayor Halsema made this known in a letter to the city council. The extra safety measures recommended by the fire service are to have all smoke detectors checked and repaired where necessary, to install a fire alarm system in all common areas and corridors and to deploy fire watchmen who are always present at the complex.
Lieven de Key, the owner of the complex, has announced that extra measures are being taken to increase escape safety and that all smoke detectors in the homes will be checked. The security guards of the complex have also been asked to be extra alert to fire safety.
In addition, the fire service advises to urgently investigate all other container complexes with a hipped roof construction in the city before 2007 for fire risks.
135 residents without a home
Last Sunday morning a large fire broke out in the container complex. One of the housing blocks completely burned down and collapsed. Another block was still standing, but was declared uninhabitable due to the water damage. A total of 135 residents lost their homes as a result. The municipality announced earlier today 500 euro to residents who have lost their homes.
Shortly after the fire, the police arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of arson, who was also a resident of the container complex. On Wednesday, the examining magistrate decided that he will be detained for fourteen days longer.