Fire damages Castricum beach pavilion; No injuries reported
A fire broke out early Sunday morning at beach pavilion Zand on Zeeweg in Castricum, causing heavy smoke and damaging part of the building. No one was inside, and no injuries were reported, officials said.
According to NH, the blaze started around 7:40 a.m. and was quickly escalated to a “very large fire” due to strong winds. “The wind makes the fire complex because it keeps spreading,” a spokesperson for the regional safety authority said. Additional fire trucks were dispatched to assist in controlling the flames.
By 10:05 a.m., firefighters declared the fire extinguished, though crews continued to douse remaining hotspots with two fire engines. A portion of the pavilion is charred, but not everything was destroyed. Firefighters also prevented the flames from spreading to the dune area behind the building.
Residents reported smelling smoke throughout the village. NH correspondent Thomas Jak said authorities blocked cars along Zeeweg about 500 meters from the beach access, and police were present at the scene.
“The smoke was very black,” the spokesperson said. Nearby campers reported noticing the strong odor of smoke.
At 8:15 a.m., not the entire building was fully ablaze. “We are using several fire engines to extinguish the fire, and it seems effective,” the spokesperson said. “We are now working to save part of the beach pavilion.”
Authorities advised nearby residents to keep windows and doors closed and turn off ventilation systems due to the heavy smoke. Fire crews initially expected the operation to take several hours.
