Building on verge of collapse after fire in historic Leeuwarden city center; No injuries

A very large fire raged in Leeuwarden’s historic city center overnight. The fire started in a vacant apartment above a pizzeria on Grote Hoogstraat and spread to adjacent buildings. The blaze is under control, and firefighters have prevented it from spreading further, but the affected building is on the verge of collapse. No one got hurt, Veiligheidsregio Fryslan reported.

Emergency services responded to the building on Hoogstraat shortly before 4:00 a.m. “Because the fire is in the city center, the emergency response scaled up significantly,” said the Veiligheidsregio, the security office that covers the emergency services in the region. Several shops and restaurants are located on the street.

The police evacuated 38 residents of surrounding buildings from their homes, while around 60 firefighters focused their efforts on keeping the blaze contained. The top floor and the roof were completely engulfed in flames. Two aerial platforms were called in to fight the fire from above.

At 6:35 a.m., the Veiligheidsregio reported that the situation was under control and confirmed that no one got hurt. “There is no chance of the fire spreading, and no asbestos was involved,” the security office said. “The fire department is still extinguishing the fire.”

“The building sustained extensive damage and is considered a total loss,” the security office said. “The first floor has burned out, and parts have collapsed. The adjacent homes have fire, smoke, and water damage.”

Several evacuated residents will not be able to return to their homes for the time being. The municipality organized accommodation for them in a hotel.

Due to the risk of collapse, the emergency services cordoned off Grote Hoogstraat until the building can be stabilized.