Fire breaks out in apartment complex, Hoensbroek

The fire department has evacuated an apartment complex on the Harmoniestraat in the Heerlen quarters of Hoensbroek this morning, after a spreading fire broke out. Three people were injured by inhaling the smoke. They have been taken to hospital, a fire department spokesperson said. Two homes have been declared uninhabitable. The residents are being housed elsewhere. The fire broke out at around 7:30 am in one of the apartments. The cause of the fire is as of yet unknown. Initially, the fir department cited an exploded television set, but the spokesperson retracted this later. Neighboring complexes incurred smoke damage. During the blaze, firemen rescued 15 people from the complex, with four medics. After an hour, most residents could return to their homes.