Schiedam shop fire forces evacuations; Two hospitalized for smoke inhalation

Several homes were evacuated early Saturday after a fire broke out in the basement of a shop on Rotterdamsedijk, according to the regional safety authority. Residents living above the store were removed from their homes as firefighters responded to the blaze. Two people were taken to the hospital after inhaling smoke, Rijnmond reported.

The fire started in the shop’s basement, where a large number of stored goods had caught fire. By around 9:30 a.m., the fire was largely under control, though firefighters continued final inspections at the scene.

“The fire raged in the basement where many items were stored. Everything was smoldering, so we are now checking whether there is truly nothing still burning,” a spokesperson said.

Fire crews deployed four fire engines along with drones to assist in battling the blaze and monitoring conditions.