Historic Arnhem buildings face collapse as firefighters struggle to contain blaze
A massive fire continues to rage in the historic city center of Arnhem, putting multiple 18th- and 19th-century buildings at risk of collapse. Firefighters have been battling the blaze since early Thursday morning, as at least ten buildings, including shops and residential flats, have been severely damaged or completely destroyed.
The fire broke out around 3:45 a.m. at a SoLow shop on Jansstraat and quickly spread to surrounding buildings. Due to the historic nature of the structures—many built with wooden frameworks—the fire intensified rapidly. “Between eight and ten shops and a block of flats can be considered lost,” said René Bierman of the Veiligheidsregio Gelderland Midden in an interview with Omroep Gelderland.
By 7:00 a.m., the blaze was still out of control. Around 150 firefighters have been deployed to contain the flames and prevent further spread. Emergency crews are working to keep surrounding structures wet to minimize additional damage. However, concerns remain that some buildings are at imminent risk of collapse.
Authorities have evacuated residents from the affected area and have cordoned off a large section of the city center. The restricted zone includes Rijnstraat, Nieuwe Plein, Willemsplein, Jansplein, and Mariënburgstraat. “The city center will remain closed for the entire day,” a fire brigade spokesperson told NOS.
Emergency services have advised residents and businesses in the area to stay away from the scene. Power has been cut to parts of the affected zone, and some nearby streets remain covered in ash and burnt debris. In neighborhoods north of the city center, including the area around Sonsbeekpark and Rijnstate Hospital, residents have been warned to keep their windows and doors closed due to drifting smoke and falling soot particles.
Firefighters and police are actively evacuating residents, though they have yet to conduct full searches inside the burning buildings due to the intensity of the fire. No casualties have been reported so far, but officials stress that the situation remains highly dangerous.
“The priority is ensuring everyone’s safety, but the risk of collapse makes this an extremely complex operation,” a spokesperson for the fire brigade said. Officials are closely monitoring the structural integrity of the affected buildings, as intense heat and prolonged exposure to flames have weakened them significantly.
The municipality of has set up an emergency hotline at 0800-1809 for affected residents seeking assistance. Evacuees are being provided temporary shelter, and officials urge the public to avoid the city center to allow emergency crews to work unimpeded.
