Several homes in an apartment complex on Doevenkamp in Assen were evacuated this morning. Just after 6 a.m., a car fire was discovered in the parking lot under the residential complex.
According to a spokesperson for the Drenthe Safety Region, at least two cars were on fire. The flames eventually spread to the insulation material of the houses above.
The fire was scaled up to a major fire. Fire brigades from surrounding municipalities came to the aid of the fire brigade in Assen. After about an hour the fire marshal was given the signal and the fire was under control.
It is not known how many people have had to leave their homes. According to the spokesperson for the Drenthe Safety Region, this concerns in any case the houses immediately next to and above the parking lot where the burning cars were located. It is unclear when the victims will be allowed to return home. First, an investigation is carried out into the damage to the apartment complex. The people are accommodated in the town hall in Assen.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. The police are investigating the area. A police spokesperson said that forensic investigation will also investigate the Doevenkamp later today, in the hope of determining the cause of the fire. According to the police, arson cannot be ruled out.
At the end of last month, a car fire was also discovered in the parking lot at Doevenkamp. The police then quickly arrived on the scene to extinguish the fire and the damage was limited.