Three hospitalized after fire at Tilburg residential care center
A fire inside the De Leyhoeve residential care center in Tilburg forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents on Saturday evening and sent three people to the hospital for smoke inhalation, according to the Veiligheidsregio Midden- en West-Brabant.
The fire started early in the evening in a utility cabinet on the second floor. Firefighters saw flames in the meterkast when they arrived, though investigators have not yet determined how the fire began. A burst water pipe caused additional leakage inside the building.
About 200 residents on the second floor and higher were evacuated, a spokesperson said. Most were taken to a nearby hotel after emergency crews checked room by room to ensure everyone was out.
Residents in the part of the building that was not affected were allowed to stay. According to the Veiligheidsregio, “These are people who are safe. It is better for them to stay calmly in their own surroundings.”
Some evacuees were allowed to return to their rooms at about 10:30 p.m. after firefighters inspected the building.
The municipality of Tilburg arranged overnight shelter for the residents who could not go back.
