Major fire in Wolvega destroys 30 garage units, forces evacuations

A massive fire in Wolvega on Saturday destroyed 30 garage units on Chopinstraat, triggering evacuations and leaving some residents unable to return to their homes due to lingering carbon monoxide. The fire, caused by welding work, required extensive efforts from firefighters who worked into the night to extinguish the blaze.

Authorities evacuated 42 nearby homes due to heavy smoke, with approximately 50 residents provided temporary shelter at a care center on Steenwijkerweg, according to Veiligheidsregio Fryslân. While most were able to return home Saturday night, residents of two homes remain displaced due to unsafe carbon monoxide levels. Temporary accommodations were arranged for them, officials said.

The blaze, which occurred in a densely populated residential area, also led to explosions, attributed to items stored in the garages, including gas cylinders, according to a spokesperson. Firefighters used cranes to pull apart the damaged garages to gain better access to the flames.

An NL-Alert was issued for the entire town earlier in the evening but was not formally canceled to avoid disturbing residents overnight, officials added.

By midnight, firefighters had completed extinguishing the fire, but the site remained cordoned off for safety. Residents of homes near Chopinstraat, Beethovenstraat, and Bachstraat were particularly affected by the evacuation.

Despite the destruction, no injuries were reported, and emergency responders continued monitoring affected homes for potential hazards.