In Arnhem, a large fire started on Sunday in a row of eight houses in the Presikhaaf district. About a hundred surrounding homes have been evacuated as a precaution because of the thick black smoke that is being released. According to ANP news agency, the fire is not yet under control, because the solar panels on the roof make it difficult to extinguish. Three people who were at home when the fire broke out have been taken to hospital.
The fire started early in the afternoon of an unknown cause. The fact that the fire is not yet under control is due to the solar panels on the roofs. They prevent the extinguishing water from reaching the fire.
Meanwhile, about five of the eight houses in the row are on fire. The solar panels cannot be removed from those houses. They have since been removed from other houses around it. The roof of a sixth house has been cut open to prevent the fire from spreading further.
About 200 firefighters have been deployed to get the fire under control. People who have had to leave their homes are taken care of in a sports hall. A woman and a child managed to get to safety via the roof.