Fire prompts evacuation of Amsterdam hotel; gas leak suspected

The art'otel on Prins Henndrikkade in Amsterdam was evacuated on Monday morning after a gas leak caused a major fire in front of the hotel, which is located across the street from Amsterdam Central Station. So far no injuries were reported, a spokesperson for the police said to NU.nl.

At 11:09 a.m., the fire was reported to be a "medium-sized fire". The alarm was elevated to "large fire" at 11:10 a.m., and to "very large fire" five minutes later.

The police believe that a gas pipe was hit during work on Prins Hendrikkade, the spokesperson said to NU.nl. Grid manager Liander is at the scene to close the leak, the fire department said on Twitter. The fire brigade is working on keeping the pipeline cool, so that no further fires can break out.

The guests of the evacuated hotel were offered shelter in another hotel. The nearby Victoria Hotel did not have to be evacuated.

The fire affected tram traffic in the Dutch capital. Trams on lines 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17 are detouring, Amsterdam transit company GVB said on Twitter. Tram 26 is also detouring, now stopping at the back of Central Station.

Brand voor de deur (gasleiding?) hotel op de Prins Hendrikkade. Brandweer druk bezig pand nat te houden. pic.twitter.com/zpD60IB3u3

— Christian Pfeiffer (@cfapfeiffer) January 13, 2020

https://twitter.com/MarieHemelrijk/status/1216662097569964032

Grote brand op de Prins Hendrikkade in Amsterdam @BrandweerAA @Politie_Adam pic.twitter.com/ZPpHGeFoIr

— Stephan van Loon (@StephanVanLoon) January 13, 2020

Brand vlakbij CS Amsterdam. Prins Hendrikkade. pic.twitter.com/Uvc8MVslmw

— Sander van Betten© (@SandervanBetten) January 13, 2020