The Maarswold community center in Stadskanaal, just across the provincial border, caught fire last night. A 24-hour daycare in the building was evacuated.
Employees and children present in the building managed to get out safely by climbing over a fence. “They are very shocked, it was a dangerous situation,” says a police spokesman. “They now need all the care and attention. This of course has a huge impact on your sense of security.”
The fire brigade had to demolish parts of the building on Utrechtselaan to extinguish the fire. The fire appears to have started in a trash can on the outside area. The flames then spread. Police suspect arson.
“We are securing camera images and would like to get in touch with witnesses. For example, there would have been two people who asked a bystander to call 112 during the fire,” said the police spokesman.
The property can be considered lost. The spokesman said no injuries were reported.