Large fire in Rotterdam-Charlois leaves five homes uninhabitable
A fire that broke out on Saturday afternoon in a residential building on Grondherendijk in Rotterdam-Charlois has rendered five homes uninhabitable. The fire, which started on a balcony, spread to multiple floors, causing significant damage to six apartments in total, AD reports.
According to emergency services, the fire began around 4:45 p.m. on the balcony of a first-floor apartment in a portico building. Flames quickly spread upwards to the two floors above, complicating efforts to contain the blaze. The Rotterdam fire department responded with two fire engines and an aerial platform, later deploying a third fire engine as the situation escalated.
Firefighters encountered challenges in extinguishing the flames due to fire spreading between floors and ceilings. “The flames were trapped in voids between the floors, making it extremely difficult to reach the fire,” a fire department spokesperson said. To fully extinguish the blaze, firefighters were forced to carry out demolition work to access the burning sections of the structure.
By 6:50 p.m., emergency crews had the fire under control. Four residents were evaluated by ambulance personnel as a precaution, but none required hospitalization. Despite the containment, the structural damage left five homes uninhabitable. A total of six apartments sustained damage, though the extent varied.
Stichting Salvage, an organization that provides assistance on behalf of insurers, has stepped in to support displaced residents. The organization is coordinating temporary housing arrangements for those affected.
Local authorities have not yet disclosed the exact cause of the fire. Investigations are ongoing to determine how the flames spread so rapidly between floors and whether any structural factors contributed to the difficulty in controlling the fire.
