Fire destroys farmhouse in Angeren, nearby homes evacuated
A thatched-roof farmhouse in the village of Angeren, located in the Betuwe region, was completely destroyed by fire on Saturday. The blaze produced a massive amount of smoke, prompting authorities to evacuate four nearby homes as a precaution. No injuries were reported.
The fire broke out at the farmhouse on Duimeling and quickly engulfed the structure. Firefighters determined early on that the building could not be saved. “It appeared to have started as a chimney fire, and with a thatched roof, that’s always a risk,” a fire department spokesperson said.
As the fire spread, thick smoke drifted toward the rest of the village due to the wind. Residents were advised to keep their doors and windows closed. Firefighters employed a strategic approach to extinguishing the flames. “First, we let the fire intensify so the smoke would rise, reducing its impact on the village. Then, we attacked it with 12 or 13 hoses simultaneously,” the spokesperson explained.
By 1:15 p.m., firefighters had the blaze under control. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This incident follows another Saturday fire in Herwijnen, where dozens of sheep perished in a barn blaze. Authorities are urging caution and fire safety awareness, particularly in structures with thatched roofs, which are highly flammable.
