Businesses in flames after armed robbery

A fire sparked in an IJsselstein business Tuesday took place moments after an armed robbery at the location, police say. A 28-year-old woman from IJsselstein, Utrecht was found by officers investigating a call to emergency services when they noticed smoke inside the building. As they fled the business and alerted the fire department flames could be seen rising as high as the building’s rooftop. She told investigators she had been threatened with a weapon and that money was taken by the offender. The building houses a Kwantum home furnishings store and a Carpetright, with party supply store Madelief Actief above the two. A fire broke out at the party shop’s previous location exactly a year ago, which was said to be caused by a faulty appliance, AD reports. An employee from neighboring store Welkoop told the newspaper that the owner of Madelief Actief received a note warning him about the possibility of a repeat fire. Police would not confirm the report. Police say they are still looking for witnesses who were near the Van Leeuwenhoekweg location around 8 a.m. when the first emergency call was placed.

Brand bij winkel IJsselstein was aangekondigd via briefje http://t.co/2UuNgN0XJZ pic.twitter.com/SdUJa3HxOw

— AD Utrechts Nieuwsblad (@ad_utrecht) January 7, 2015

Brand breekt net uit @gem_ijsselstein pic.twitter.com/rnksTzjuNF

— RTV 9 (@RTV9NL) January 6, 2015

Ziet er niet goed uit de #brand bij de #Kwantum in #IJsselstein pic.twitter.com/d0tEmeqshR

— Michel Bliek (@michelbliek) January 6, 2015