Fire destroys historic building in Zutphen, dozens evacuated
A large fire early Sunday morning in a historic building in the center of Zutphen prompted the evacuation of approximately 30 people, including residents and hotel guests.
The fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. in a property on Barlheze, a street lined with historic structures. The building, dating back to 1805, was initially believed to have had a resident inside, prompting a large-scale response by emergency services. The occupant, however, was not in the building and later reported to authorities.
The fire forced the evacuation of a nearby hotel, which housed around 25 guests at the time. Additionally, six residents from neighboring homes were evacuated as a precaution. All evacuees were temporarily sheltered in a nearby restaurant.
Emergency crews worked swiftly to prevent the flames from spreading to adjacent buildings. The fire was fully extinguished by 5:30 a.m., but the roof of the affected building was extensively damaged.
Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage to the building and investigating the cause of the fire. The rapid response of the fire brigade is credited with containing the blaze and protecting other historic properties in the area.
