Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Brandweer fire department Volkswagen
Stock image of a Dutch fire department Volkswagen vehicle - Credit: photo: cakifoto / DepositPhotos
Crime
Haarlem
Noord-Holland
arson
Posthuis Zaanenpark
Haarlem-Noord
Saturday, 9 May 2020 - 10:50
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Arsonist destroys Haarlem community center

Police said an arsonist was being sought in connection with a fire that destroyed a popular neighborhood community center in Haarlem. The fire started small at around 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, but it quickly swept across the thatched reed roof atop the brick building.

Firefighters elevated the alarm several times at the Posthuis Zanenpark community center on Mercuriusstraat in Haarlem-Noord, with more equipment and personnel sent to the scene. It was finally brought under control after about an hour, and the fire department’s salvage crews took over the smoldering site, a spokesperson for the emergency services operation said.

Brand Posthuis in het Zanenpark Haarlem (2) pic.twitter.com/pMQE3NuHfp

— Niels Langeveld (@Langeveld) May 8, 2020

Police said the building was largely lost by the end of the emergency response, which took 2.5 hours in total. “The police are assuming an arson and have launched an investigation,” authorities said.

“What we were always afraid of has actually happened. The Posthuis has been completely destroyed by arson (that’s what everything points to),” a representative of the community center said to volunteers and neighbors on social media. In the past, they had complained about minor vandalism at the location.

“So sad. For now, a line through all activities and future plans, but we are holding on to hope and will keep you all up to date.”

Officers were out interviewing witnesses and area residents on Saturday morning. The police asked the public to share camera footage from the scene and information that might help solve the case.

Brand Posthuis in het Zanenpark in Haarlem pic.twitter.com/CuNfR0x9gr

— Niels Langeveld (@Langeveld) May 8, 2020

The Posthuis had been used for parties, meetings, author’s readings and other cultural activities.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Some Dutch cities not flying Syrian flags for earthquake victims at refugees' request
  • Van Gogh Museum kicks off 50th anniversary year with family exhibition
  • Three Dutch people reportedly among those killed in Turkey-Syria earthquakes
  • History of Indonesia in colonial era deserves a prominent place in Dutch education
  • Dutch consumers hunting down more cheap nearly-expired groceries and factory rejects
  • Eneco will sign fixed energy price contracts for the first time since 2021

Top stories

  • Three Dutch people reportedly among those killed in Turkey-Syria earthquakes
  • Putin played an active role in conflict around MH17 downing; No new suspects prosecuted
  • 42% of secondary school teachers witnessed anti-Semitism in class
  • 40% of home buyers end 2022 were first-time buyers
  • Dutch team rescues 6 people from rubble in Turkey; Death toll climbs to 8,100
  • Rutte tells Erdogan the Dutch can offer more help; Dutch donate millions in relief aid

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content