Three hurt in retirement home fire

A large fire raged in a seniors' apartment building on the Europaplein in Wijchen this morning, the Gelderlander reports. The building is situated at the back of the Wijchen municipality office in the center. Three people, two residents and a bystander who was trying to help, were taken to the hospital by ambulance due to smoke inhalation. A police officer and four other residents were treated by ambulance personnel at the scene. A spokesperson for the police told the newspaper that the fire started just after 04:30 a.m. in a corner apartment on the 1st floor. The fire spread through the rest of the building and damaged 6 apartments. A total of 17 residents were evacuated from their homes with the help of two bystanders. They were given shelter by neighbors. The police and fire department were present at the scene in large numbers. There were also 6 ambulances to offer help. The fire department has since gotten the fire under control. A pet store is located below the apartments. The door was forced open and as far as is known, the animals were unharmed. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

'Gewonden en evacuaties bij brand in seniorenflat Wijchen' http://t.co/jfcj9bg8BC pic.twitter.com/hCQF6zPN7q

— MediaZone (@Zone_Online) April 6, 2015

Grote brand Wijchen Europaplein 6 appartementen ontruimd. 3 gew . pic.twitter.com/Cwo1es3OjD

— Motormuis (@Motomuis) April 6, 2015

https://twitter.com/dennis_media24/status/584940624958357504

#Wijchen #Europaplein ivm brand opschaling naar GRIP 1 gaat politiewoordvoerder tp. ^MJV

— Politie Gelderland (@POL_Gelderland) April 6, 2015

#brand Wijchen brand in seniorenflats boven winkels. Ca 17 personen geevacueerd. 2 personen gewond naar ziekenhuis.

— Politie Gelderland (@POL_Gelderland) April 6, 2015

#Wijchen brand is meester, er wordt afgeschaald. Bewoners worden in omgeving opgevangen.

— Politie Gelderland (@POL_Gelderland) April 6, 2015