Buildings collapse after Utrecht explosion; Uncertain if anyone is trapped
Multiple buildings caved in on Thursday evening as the result of at least one explosion and the resultant fire on Visschersteeg in the Utrecht city center. Four injuries were confirmed, but more than three hours after the incident began, rescue workers still did not know whether anyone was trapped under the rubble. The injured people were transported to the UMC Utrecht emergency department.
“After the explosion, several buildings collapsed,” said emergency services office Veiligheidsregio Utrecht in an update at 6:20 p.m. “The fire department is currently investigating how the collapsed and damaged buildings can be safely searched to determine if anyone is still inside.”
Several people reported hearing explosions just before 3:30 p.m., making it difficult for authorities to determine if one or several explosions took place, a Veiligheidsregio Utrecht spokesperson said. The fire that followed spread to several buildings, despite firefighters best efforts. They were forced to tackle the blaze from the street and aerial platforms, as they were unable to safely gain entry.
“It happened late in the afternoon. Who was at home? Who was not? That’s very difficult to determine,” a fire department spokesperson told NOS. The explosion was so powerful, it could be felt hundreds of meters away at the Utrecht City Council building, where those inside were stunned by the impact.
“We don’t know exactly what has happened but from what we have gathered here and there it seems very serious,” one woman told Hart van Nederland. There were unconfirmed reports that witnesses noticed an odor similar to natural gas.
“We heard a boom, the door flew open and a guy even joked, ‘Did a ghost just come in?’ And then we saw smoke everywhere when we went outside,” another woman told the broadcast outlet.
By declaring a “very large fire” and a Grip 2 regional emergency, those in charge of the response were able to request the help of dozens of paramedics, firefighters, and police officers located outside of the city. Rescue workers raced in from around provincial Utrecht to provide assistance, while a disaster response team worked to provide assistance to residents directly affected.
“Extensive damage has been reported in the surrounding area. Therefore, a large area was cordoned off,” the emergency services office said. This extended well beyond Visschersteeg to include the surrounding neighborhood, and a larger portion of the city center.
“Only emergency services have access to this area. To ensure the safe and effective response, everyone is urgently requested to give emergency services space and avoid the area.”
Residents living near the Vischerssteeg in Utrecht are being given shelter in the hotel Karel V. It is currently unclear on where they will spend the night.Staff from the Utrecht municipality and the Red Cross are at Hotel Karel V to keep residents updated on developments and offer emotional assistance.
Residents are being told whether they can go back to their homes this evening or if temporary accommodations must be arranged. Due to the damage and the ongoing inspection of the historic buildings in Visscherssteeg, many are expected to spend the night away from their homes.
The hotel is also being used as a location for relatives to confirm whether their family members have been safely evacuated.
"This afternoon, Utrecht was shaken by a major explosion and large fire in the heart of our city. Much remains uncertain at this time. The thoughts of the Utrecht City Council go out to all those affected in the impacted area," Council members wrote in a joint message on social media.
As a precaution, emergency services have shut off electricity and gas in the affected buildings and surrounding properties near Visscherssteeg. Such measures are standard practice during fires and explosions to avoid additional hazards.
