Historic manor in Breda destroyed by early morning fire amid permit dispute
A major fire broke out early Sunday morning at the monumental Burgst manor house on Burgstsedreef in Breda, completely destroying the residential section of the historic estate, NOS reported. The fire began around 2:30 a.m. on the building’s ground floor.
Firefighters responded with extensive resources, involving dozens of personnel and deploying a drone equipped with a thermal camera to assess the blaze. By just before 6 a.m., emergency services had brought the large, fast-spreading fire under control.
Eighteen people who were inside the manor at the time were safely evacuated and cared for by emergency responders. Authorities confirmed there is no indication anyone else remained inside the building.
Located near a wooded area and close to a residential neighborhood, the estate’s surroundings were at risk of soot fallout. The regional safety authority warned residents about possible soot particles landing on cars, bicycles, or garden furniture and advised cleaning them with warm water and soap, using gloves to avoid direct skin contact.
The manor house consists of multiple sections. A spokesperson from the safety region said during the night that the residential part of the building was lost to the fire, but other sections might still be salvageable.
This devastating fire reportedly adds to a long and complex dispute involving estate owner Marcel van Hooijdonk and the Breda municipality. Since 2016, Van Hooijdonk has clashed with local authorities over denied permits to build barns and a swimming pool on the property.
The municipality suspects Van Hooijdonk of attempting to launder money derived from criminal activity through these permit requests. The funds are allegedly linked to illegal or semi-legal room rentals, primarily student housing in Utrecht.
An integrity bureau hired by Breda concluded that Van Hooijdonk charged rents about twice the normal value of these rooms, raising fears the income was intended to finance renovations on the Burgst estate. Van Hooijdonk’s lawyer denied any wrongdoing or inflated rents before the Council of State, which reviewed the case in March.
The Burgst estate’s history stretches back to the 12th century. Records indicate a wooden residential tower may have stood on the site then. By the 15th century, documents mention a moated building. The classicist manor that stood until the fire was built in 1790.
