Large fire destroys barn at Peest care farm, 18 residents evacuated
A massive fire broke out just before midnight at a Cosis care facility on Hoofdweg in Peest, forcing the evacuation of 18 residents from a residential work farm for people with intellectual disabilities, RTV Drenthe reported. The blaze completely destroyed a large thatched-roof barn on the property and triggered a regional emergency response.
The barn, part of the Cosis care complex, was fully engulfed in flames when emergency services arrived. “The flames were shooting meters into the air. The entire building was on fire,” Edwin Veldman of Veiligheidsregio Drenthe told RTV Drenthe.
Due to the severity of the situation and the risk of the fire spreading to the main residential building, authorities escalated the response to a Grip 1 incident. “We declared Grip 1 to start the evacuation as quickly as possible, since there was a risk the fire could spread to the main building where the clients live,” said Veldman.
Fire crews from multiple towns were deployed to contain the blaze. While the barn was lost, firefighters succeeded in preventing the fire from reaching the adjacent housing units.
The 18 evacuated residents, who live and work at the care farm, were safely removed from the premises and transported by bus to a shelter in Roden. Some residents also stayed with family. The facility includes 17 client apartments as part of the care program operated by Cosis.
“All clients and staff have been brought to safety. They were never in danger and are now being cared for elsewhere. All relatives have been informed,” a Cosis spokesperson said.
The organization praised the swift actions of staff and emergency responders. “The fire has had a major impact on the clients and everyone involved. In the coming days, we will assess what support and counseling are needed.” The cause of the fire remains unknown.
