Explosion at apartment complex in Woerden; Dozens of homes evacuated
An explosion caused a fire at an apartment building in Woerden overnight. Emergency services evacuated 24 homes in the surrounding area. As far as is known, no one was hurt, said Veiligheidsregio Utrecht, the security office that covers the emergency services in the region.
The explosion happened at around 8:00 p.m. on Anton Mauevestraat. Firefighters managed to quickly extinguish the resulting fire, but the flames and blast caused significant damage to the building.
“The facade and the windows are shattered,” a spokesperson for the security office told RTV Utrecht. “There is a risk that parts of the facade will fall down.” The emergency service therefore cordoned off the area.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
The residents of the evacuated homes were given shelter in a nearby sports hall. Some residents could return to spend the nights in their homes, but the homes around the affected apartment remain unsafe.
