Massive fire destroys restaurant in Veenendaal, apartments evacuated
A massive fire broke out early Sunday morning at restaurant Mango’s on Kerkewijk in Veenendaal, causing extensive damage and forcing the evacuation of multiple apartments. The fire, which started around 6:20 a.m., proved difficult to control due to its location in the restaurant’s ceiling, according to a spokesperson for the Veiligheidsregio Utrecht (VRU). By noon, firefighters were still battling the flames.
A crane was deployed to assist with demolition work as emergency crews worked to locate and extinguish remaining hotspots. “It’s a difficult task,” the VRU spokesperson said. To fully access the fire, firefighters had to partially open the floors of the apartments above the restaurant. The damage is “gigantic,” the spokesperson added.
The Kerkewijk was partially closed due to firefighting efforts, along with the adjacent J.G. Sandebrinkstraat. Residents of the apartments above and next to the restaurant were evacuated as a precaution. While those from neighboring buildings were later allowed to return home, the occupants of the apartments above the restaurant face a longer wait before they can move back.
The fire was first noticed by residents living above the restaurant. They alerted their neighbors and called emergency services. At the time of the fire, the restaurant was reportedly unoccupied.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire. “The suspicion is that it was caused by a short circuit in an electrical device,” the VRU spokesperson said. No injuries have been reported.
