Fire in Voorburg apartment block forces balcony rescues, dozens evacuated
A major overnight fire in a nine-story apartment building on Kersengaarde in Voorburg forced firefighters to rescue residents from balconies and evacuate about 10 homes, authorities said.
According to AD, the blaze broke out around 3:15 a.m. Saturday in a lift shaft and quickly spread smoke through multiple floors, making escape routes unusable. Emergency services were alerted around 3:30 a.m. and rapidly escalated the incident to a “very large fire” with Grip 1 status due to its severity.
Firefighters used a ladder truck to remove several residents from their balconies after smoke filled hallways and stairwells. Others were escorted to the ground floor. The fire also spread to the building’s stairwell. Crews checked surrounding apartments for smoke and carbon monoxide. Around 5:24 a.m., firefighters declared the fire under control.
Ambulance crews assessed multiple residents for smoke inhalation and injuries, but no one required hospital transport, officials said. Displaced residents were temporarily sheltered in a bus stationed on Hofzichtlaan, as temperatures dropped below freezing overnight.
At least eight fire engines and one aerial ladder were deployed, with additional support requested from Wassenaar, Rijswijk, The Hague, the Westland, and Leidschendam-Voorburg.
The building’s elevator sustained heavy damage and is expected to be out of service for months. Authorities are considering installing a temporary elevator.
