Although Christmas also occupies a prominent place in predominantly Catholic Brazil, Brazilian Marilene is not in the mood for celebration. The loss of her sister Edilene, who died at the beginning of the year in the fatal fire in Schellinkhout, is more intense than ever these days.
10 x 2023: looking back on the past year
In 10 x 2023, the West Frisian editorial staff looks back on 10 remarkable stories from the past year between December 22 and 31. Which people stood out in 2023? What were the intense events in our region? And what about the main characters? Today: the fatal fire in Schellinkhout, in which 38-year-old Edilene from Brazil died.
She sends a video of the two together via WhatsApp, previously recorded in a Dutch residential area. Fifteen seconds of joy and adolescent giggling between two adult sisters from Brazil. Innocent images as a priceless memory for Marilene. “My sister was always happy.”
Back to the beginning of this year. At one large fire Several business units go up in flames at an industrial estate on the Dorpsweg in Schellinkhout. Many tenants are left empty-handed and a day later even A body found in one of the units. The person had absolutely no chance against the fierce sea of fire.
On that same Sunday, the telephone rings in Lelystad, where Antoon gets the fright of his life. According to police, the person who died in the fire was ‘99.9 percent’ his wife Edilene. The couple had (temporarily) separated and Edilene was staying illegally in one of the units. He describes his wife as a ‘young, cheerful woman who worked hard’. She did this at the Plukon poultry slaughterhouse in Blokker.
“I would give my life to get my sister back”
He quickly informs his in-laws in Brazil, where the sadness and shock is immense. Marilene is Edilene’s sister and has also lived temporarily in the Netherlands. It takes a long time before confirmation comes that it is indeed Edilene, a very long time. The DNA test takes several weeks. “We don’t dare go anywhere because we are afraid that we will miss the redeeming phone call,” says Marilene in those days.
Unbearable uncertainty, but at the same time mourning the loss. “I would give my life to get my sister back. She knows that. I always told her I love her. My sister is a part of me, she is my life. It always will be that way.”
Almost a month after the fire, confirmation comes that it was Edilene who died in the fire. The horror scenario has become reality. “I always feel her close to me, she will always remain in my heart,” the sad Marilene texts from Brazil. The messages are accompanied by several hearts as standard, to always emphasize the love for her sister.
More than six months later, there is still a lot of sadness about Edilene’s sudden death. In the Netherlands, but certainly also in her native country. Marilene does not want to know anything about a festive period. “I’m not going to celebrate Christmas and pretend it’s a party. I can’t do that. It’s going to be a difficult time without my sister, but she will always be there for me.”
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Looking back at the fatal fire in Schellinkhout
On the night of January 28 to 29, a fire broke out in one of the units on Dorpsweg in Schellinkhout. The units at the front part of the industrial estate have no chance against the sea of flames, the other two buildings can be saved by the fire brigade. While extinguishing the fire, the body of a deceased man or woman is found.
A large-scale investigation into the fire is being conducted. Rumors soon spread about illegal occupation on the site, which are confirmed by neighbors and tenants. The owner would also have been informed. “One hundred percent,” is what the tenants say. One of them. Sergej Fokke, manages to escape the fire.
The municipality of Drechterland appears to have received several anonymous reports about illegal occupancy in the business units, mayor Michiel Pijl confirmed after the fire. “But we have not been able to determine that the units were occupied.”
The building’s owner has always refused to comment on the tragedy.