A building on the Van Woustraat in Amsterdam South was badly damaged by a fire tonight. Images of local residents showed metre-high flames at the rear.
The first report came in around 8 p.m. Ten minutes later, it was scaled up to ‘big fire’ and more fire trucks were called in. The street has been cordoned off by the police.
The fire was brought under control by 8:40 p.m., a fire service spokesman said. “The fire started in the kitchen area of a catering facility. A person tried to extinguish the fire, but was unsuccessful. The fire brigade was then alerted. The person was checked by ambulance personnel for smoke inhalation, but did not have to be transported to the hospital. “
Several residents of homes above and homes around the catering building had to leave their homes. “The police went from door to door,” one of them said. “There are 21 students living in our building, not everyone was at home.”
There was a lot of smoke development. According to bystanders, it stank enormously in the area, it would smell like plastic.