Massive fire engulfs vehicle recycling yard in Blokker
A large fire broke out overnight at a vehicle dismantling facility on Gildenweg in Blokker, consuming at least 15 vehicles and sending thick black smoke over the town. Authorities issued an NL-Alert warning nearby residents to stay indoors and close windows and doors.
The first reports of the fire came in at 11:36 p.m. Tuesday. The blaze originated in stacks of vehicles stored on-site at Autodemontagebedrijf De Ooievaar, a local car recycling business. By the time fire crews arrived, the fire had spread quickly due to the stacked vehicles. Witnesses described an intense inferno visible from a distance.
Emergency services from across the region were mobilized, including eight fire engines and a high-reaching platform. Crews worked throughout the night to contain and extinguish the fire, with final suppression efforts concluding by 5:30 a.m.
The fire released a significant amount of smoke, prompting the North Holland North Safety Region to issue an NL-Alert shortly after the fire began. Residents were advised to stay indoors, shut their ventilation systems, and keep windows and doors closed.
Residents as far as Oosterblokker reported heavy black smoke spreading across the area. By early morning, the smoke had dissipated, and authorities lifted the NL-Alert.
Authorities have not ruled out arson as the cause of the fire. Due to the extent of the damage, an investigation will commence later Wednesday once daylight improves visibility.
“The fire spread rapidly through the stacked vehicles, which were difficult to access and extinguish,” a fire department spokesperson said. “The structural damage to the site is extensive, and its usability will be assessed as part of the investigation.”
At the time of the incident, the dismantling business was closed, and no injuries have been reported. Emergency responders deployed an ambulance as a precaution. Officials have yet to confirm the total number of vehicles destroyed, but witnesses at the scene estimate at least 15 were consumed in the fire.
Photos and videos shared by residents showed towering flames and thick smoke covering parts of Blokker and neighboring areas. Many described the fire as one of the largest the area has seen in recent years.
The vehicle stacks, arranged to maximize space, exacerbated the fire’s spread. Firefighters faced challenges accessing some areas and ensuring all flames were extinguished.
Authorities are calling on anyone with information about the fire, including witnesses or those with surveillance footage, to contact the police.
