Video: “Suspicious” fire destroys popular family recreation spot near Rotterdam
A large fire, which included several explosions, has destroyed the recreation center De Theetuin in Ridderker-Rijsoord. Firefighters are still working to get the blaze extinguished. The police suspect arson. “According to the police, there are suspicious circumstances,” a spokesperson for the local safety office, Veiligheidsregio Rotterdam-Rijnmond, told Rijnmond.
A local noticed and reported the fire in the popular recreation center on Pruimendijk at around 3:00 a.m. The blaze spread quickly, and the fire brigade responded in large numbers, deploying four firetrucks and a water transporter.
The emergency services evacuated the surrounding homes and instructed other locals to keep their windows and doors closed and turn off their ventilation systems due to the smoke.
At around 5:45 a.m., the fire brigade reported that the fire was under control, but it flared up again. “The fire is now really under control,” the safety office reported at 9:26 a.m. “Unfortunately, the firefighters present were unable to prevent the entire center from burning down.”
De Theetuin consisted of a restaurant and a bowling alley. Part of the main building has collapsed, and the restaurant has burned down completely. A demolition crane is at the scene to clear areas where the fire is still burning. “The fire department estimates that it will still be busy with after-extinguishing operations for several hours,” the Veiligheidsregion said.
The area around the lost party venue has been cordoned off to give the fire brigade room to work. The police are investigating the cause of the fire. As far as is known, no arrests have been made.
