In the night from Monday to Tuesday, two cars caught fire in Haarlem. The fires followed each other in quick succession: around 1.35 am a car on Planetenlaan caught fire. About half an hour later, a vehicle on Regulierstraat, about two kilometers away, was also on fire.
When the fire brigade arrived, both cars were completely engulfed in flames. Although the fire was quickly extinguished, the vehicles were severely damaged.
Local residents on Planetenlaan told a photographer on site that shortly before the fire broke out they heard a loud bang, which they said sounded like fireworks. The police also received reports of explosions just before the fire.
The police cannot confirm whether fireworks were actually used. According to a spokesperson, the popping sound could also be caused by airbags that explode when a fire starts in the front of a car. Whether the two car fires are related is still being investigated. No arrests have been made so far.