Utrecht explosion area closed until at least 4:00 p.m.; Gas leak the likely cause

The area in Utrecht city center where an explosion caused massive damage and injured four people on Thursday will remain cordoned off to the public until at least 4:00 p.m., the municipality reported on Friday. It is unclear when evacuated locals will be able to return to their homes, even to collect personal belongings. The authorities think a gas leak caused the explosion, but investigations are ongoing.

The explosion happened at around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday on Visschersteeg in the heart of Utrecht city. Four people sustained minor injuries. Emergency services searched the rubble through the night with sniffer dogs and found no further victims. According to Utrecht mayor Sharon Dijksma, locals must have had “an angel on their shoulders.” The damage is enormous.

It is currently too dangerous for the fire brigade to enter the buildings around the explosion site with people, spokesperson Marcel van Westendorp of Veiligheidsregio Utrecht, the safety office that covers the region’s emergency services, told NOS. “The buildings are literally on the verge of collapse, so we have to shore them up so we can enter them ourselves,” Van Westendorp said. “We first have to make the area safe.”

According to the fire department, the explosion and fire that followed left three buildings severely damaged and partially collapsed. The surrounding buildings also suffered extensive damage, including to windows and gutters. Further away, there is mainly glass damage.

There is also a parking garage nearby, on Springweg, which will remain inaccessible for the coming days. The municipality urged anyone who parked their car there to arrange alternative transportation.

Several buildings in the area are also still shut off from gas. It will take several days for everyone’s gas connection to be restored.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but a gas leak appears be the likely cause. There are reports that work was being carried out in the building. The police don’t suspect foul play at this stage.

The municipality of Utrecht will open an information desk in the city hall around noon. Affected locals can go there with their questions.