Explosion and fire leave three homes uninhabitable in Papendrecht; Two children hurt
An explosive attack on a home on Vincent van Goghlaan in Papendrecht caused a fire that left three homes uninhabitable and two children hurt. One child had to go to the hospital, the other was treated at the scene, a police spokesperson confirmed to Rijnmond.
A family with four children lived in the home targeted in the attack. “One of the children was taken to the hospital because of smoke inhalation,” the police spokesperson said. “Another child was slightly injured when he tried to escape outside. That fits with the stress that such an explosion causes.”
The police assume that someone “with bad intentions” caused the explosion and fire. “We know that someone threw something inside that caused the explosion,” the spokesperson said.
The explosion and fire were reported at around 2:30 a.m. The fire started at the front of the house and burned it down completely. It also badly damaged two other homes.
The emergency services evacuated 40 residents of 17 homes. Most of them will likely be able to return to their homes in the course of the morning. The residents of 5 homes have to be accommodated elsewhere.
