Explosion in Purmerend triggers massive fire, injures one
A powerful explosion at a home on Maasstraat early Sunday morning caused a large fire that spread to two neighboring houses, leaving one person seriously injured and several others displaced. Emergency services responded to the scene at approximately 4:15 a.m., evacuating residents from six homes in the affected block.
A fire department spokesperson told ANP that one person was hospitalized with injuries. According to NH Nieuws, five others inhaled smoke and were treated on-site by paramedics. Footage showed flames pouring from the upper floors and thick smoke obscuring visibility in the area.
Residents of the entire housing block were evacuated and temporarily relocated to nearby facilities. Authorities advised residents in the area to keep windows and doors closed and to shut off ventilation systems due to the heavy smoke.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Police have cordoned off the street and declared the site a crime scene. "The origin of the fire appears to be linked to the explosion," a police spokesperson told NH Nieuws. "We have established a crime scene because we want to determine exactly what happened. This is standard procedure when the cause of a fire is unclear."
The fire department worked through the morning to extinguish hotspots, but damage to the homes was extensive. One household may be able to return to their property soon, while authorities are arranging alternative accommodations for residents of the other five homes. "We are discussing options with the affected families, including whether they can stay with relatives or need other arrangements," said a fire department representative.
The explosion also disrupted heating for roughly 75 to 100 homes in the area as the district heating system was temporarily shut down. "Our teams are working to restore heating to as many homes as possible," a spokesperson for the local heating service said.
