Two Dutch towns woken by large fires

By Janene Pieters on July 27, 2016 - 07:36
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Massive fire at a Zoetermeer pallet company on Galvanistraat, 27 July 2016 (Photo: @rloois/Twitter). (Massive fire at a Zoetermeer pallet company on Galvanistraat, 27 July 2016 (Photo: @rloois/Twitter))

Wednesday morning started with two large fires in the Netherlands. In Zoetermeer a pallet company is on fire, while in Udel a garden center is ablaze. A large amount of smoke is coming from both fires and local residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed and stay out of the smoke.

The fire in Zoetermeer started during the early hours of Wednesday morning in a pallet company on Galvanistraat. Firefighters managed to get the fire under control and prevent it from spreading to other buildings, but extinguishing it will still take several hours, according to the Haaglanden fire department.

No one was injured in the fire and measurements show that no asbestos or other harmful substances are being released with the smoke. Oostweg is partially closed due to the fire. According to ANP, flames from this fire could be seen from as far as The Hague.

In Udel, near Apeldoorn, garden center Fonteyn is ablaze. According to local safety office Veiligheidsregio Noord- en Oost-Gelderland, the building can be considered lost. The fire department responded to the fire en masse. Eight fire trucks, a crane, specialist equipment and dozens of firefighters are working to get the fire under control.

The N302, the main road between the A1 and Hardewijk, is currently closed to all traffic.

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