The police investigation has therefore not yet been completed. “We ask people with information or tips about this case to contact us,” says De Jong. Earlier this week, the police reported that ‘suspicious circumstances’ had been found in the building based on forensic investigation.
The major fire in the center of Coevorden broke out on Friday afternoon. There were no injuries. The fire brigade scaled up quickly because of the size of the fire and the considerable smoke development, but also because of the location, right in the center.
“This fire has had quite an impact,” says De Jong. No asbestos was released during the fire. However, damage did occur to the retail properties on either side of the building. According to spokesperson Bart Raaijmakers of the Drenthe Safety Region, rapid deployment of the fire brigade, with brigades from Coevorden, Schoonebeek, Hoogeveen, Emmen, De Wijk and Zwinderen, prevented the fire from spreading.