Two injured in Venhuizen apartment fire, surrounding homes evacuated

A significant fire broke out in an apartment building on Pastoor Suidgeeststraat in Venhuizen during the early hours of Sunday, April 13, injuring two residents and forcing the evacuation of surrounding homes, according to the Noordhollands Dagblad. Authorities confirmed that the fire caused heavy smoke to spread throughout the building, prompting emergency services to act swiftly.

The blaze, which started around 4:45 a.m., was quickly detected and led to a large response from the local fire department. Firefighters arrived with multiple vehicles, including a ladder truck, and were assisted by two ambulances and a trauma team. Upon arrival, the apartment on the first floor was already engulfed in flames and billowing thick smoke.

Two individuals, believed to be from the apartment where the fire originated, were taken to the hospital for treatment after inhaling smoke. Their condition has not been disclosed. The fire was reported under control by 5:45 a.m., though firefighters continued to assess the extent of the damage to the building.

The fire department immediately began evacuating the apartment complex, relocating residents to a nearby care facility, De Bosman, where they were temporarily housed. In total, 10 surrounding apartments were evacuated. Seven of the affected households were later informed they would be unable to return to their homes in the immediate future. Efforts to provide alternative accommodations for these residents are ongoing.

Preliminary investigations indicate the fire was likely caused by a fault in a gas line within the apartment. In response, utility company Liander was called in to shut off both gas and electricity to the building to prevent further hazards. As of 7:30 a.m., the gas and electricity remained disconnected as firefighters conducted additional checks, particularly around the roof, to ensure the fire did not spread further.

By 8:30 a.m., the electricity was restored to the building, but gas reconnection was still under review. The safety region spokesperson confirmed that authorities were considering which residents could safely return to their apartments. At the time of reporting, seven apartments remained uninhabitable.