Alkmaar mayor calls for fireworks ban following downtown fire

Alkmaar Mayor Piet Bruinooge (CDA) is calling on the government for a general fireworks ban. "For me it is over and out with the fireworks", he said to NOS. The reason for this remark is the fire in the center of Alkmaar over New Year's. Four retail properties in Langestraat went up in flames. Several others were heavily damaged. Some of the ruined shops' walls were pulled down yesterday afternoon because they threatened to collapse. One of the affected shopkeepers, who lived above his shop, is absolutely convinced that the fire was caused by fireworks, NOS reports. "At the back of the buildings are cafes and there people were setting off fireworks. That is the cause of the fire." Bruinooge thinks that the discussion on the use of fireworks has to be resumed. He says that especially historic buildings in inner cities are likely to go up in flames because of "modern rampant fireworks."