Arnhem takes measures after devastating city center fire
The municipality of Arnhem has introduced new fire safety measures in response to a devastating fire that swept through the historic city center in March, destroying multiple buildings and forcing around 100 residents to evacuate.
The blaze, which began in the early hours of March 6, originated in a shop and quickly spread to nearby structures, including historic buildings with façades over 150 years old. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
Authorities initially arrested three suspects in connection with the fire; two have since been released but remain under suspicion.
Under the new measures, residents and business owners in the city center are no longer allowed to place old paper directly against building façades, Omroep Gelderland reported. Instead, paper must be set at least 1 meter away from walls, while still leaving 3.5 meters of clearance for emergency vehicles.
Commercial waste containers may only be placed on the street from 7:30 a.m., rather than overnight. The municipality will deploy “waste coaches” to guide residents and businesses on compliance.
“The city center is safe, but no one can completely prevent a fire from starting,” Mayor Ahmed Marcouch said. “We can, however, all take steps to ensure fire safety. Much of this involves human behavior, such as reporting when flammable materials are improperly discarded.”
Hundreds of rental properties, especially those housing temporary residents, will face intensified inspections over the coming year. Authorities cite these buildings’ lower safety awareness and older construction as factors increasing fire risk.
The fire department and the municipal inspection service have already examined 100 properties in recent months, with many requiring improvements. “Property owners are given a chance to fix issues, or sanctions may follow,” Marcouch said.
The city is also reviewing accessibility for emergency vehicles. On the Korenmarkt, terrace boundaries and permanent obstacles, such as fixed planters, were removed or made movable.
Further studies are planned for 2026, focusing on living above stores, a practice common in the Netherlands. “The fire showed that items in a store can fuel a fire,” Marcouch said. “We want to explore what additional measures may be reasonable to protect residents and businesses.”
