Fire breaks out in former school building in Gorinchem, no injuries reported

The fire department has gained control of a fire that broke out in a former school building on IJslaan in Gorinchem, but efforts to fully extinguish the blaze are expected to continue throughout the morning. The fire has been brought under control, meaning that the risk of the fire spreading has been eliminated, according to a fire department spokesperson.

While the amount of smoke has decreased, residents in the South Holland town are still advised to keep windows and doors closed as a precautionary measure

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but authorities have confirmed that no injuries have been reported. Additionally, it has been definitively established that no asbestos was involved in the fire.

The spokesperson also mentioned that debris from the fire, including pieces of insulation material, has fallen into nearby gardens. Residents are advised to dispose of the material with their regular waste. Soot has also settled in some gardens, which can be washed away with water.

The fire significantly damaged parts of the building, which are now deemed unstable and hazardous, according to the spokesperson.

Earlier, at the Arkelse Onderweg in Gorinchem, another fire broke out in the night between Saturday and Sunday at a school. Emergency services were called, and multiple fire vehicles were dispatched, according to AD. The fire was upgraded to a medium-scale fire within nine minutes, with at least two fire trucks and one aerial ladder being deployed. Details regarding the extent of the damage, injuries, or any other specifics have yet to be confirmed.