Due to a fire in the storage at the beginning of the afternoon, cultural center De Groote Weiver has canceled this afternoon’s performance. It is not yet known how the fire started, but arson has not yet been ruled out.
The cultural center on Industrieweg was still closed when the fire broke out around 12.30 pm. The fire brigade was soon present at the complex with four units. As a precaution, the residents of some adjacent anti-squat living spaces were led outside, an employee of the center told NH.
Quickly under control
Burning and (partially) charred items have been brought out of storage. The fire brigade had the fire under control within half an hour. Ultimately, the fire brigade ventilated the building.
The anti-squat residents were then allowed to return home. According to a witness, a person was checked by ambulance personnel for smoke inhalation, but the spokesperson cannot confirm this. Nothing can yet be said about the cause, but arson has not yet been ruled out.
The damage will be assessed later today, but seems to be not too bad, chairman Jan Hekman tells NH Nieuws. He says that the center will open as normal this afternoon, but that the performance of the acoustic country collective Buuuf from the IJmond has been canceled. “Because the room where the performance would take place is adjacent to the storage.”
The planned beer tasting will go ahead.
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