Amsterdam's historic Vondelkerk Church reportedly fell prey to a major fire during New Year’s Eve. While the church was severely damaged by the flames, no injuries or deaths were reported by Dutch media.
The walls of Vondelkerk Church are still standing, but parts of the tower and the roof have collapsed. Due to the fire, sections of the tower and part of the central section of the church have collapsed. A large part of the roof has also fallen down, as can be seen in the video below. There is no further risk of collapse apart from what has already been lost, and the risk of the fire spreading to buildings around the church has passed, media reports quoted experts on the ground as saying.
The church has been declared “beyond saving” even as the fire brigades reportedly spent hours fighting the blaze. It was not until morning that the fire was declared brought under control. The Navy also arrived on the scene to help with the firefighting efforts, NU.nl said in a report.
The fire brigade is “doing everything possible to save what can still be saved,” a spokesperson said. Firefighters have not yet been inside the church, which is reportedly filled with piles of burning and smouldering wood. All homes around the church have been evacuated as strong winds were reportedly carrying flames from the burning debris to the surrounding area, which may cause combustible objects to ignite.
It is still unknown when residents will be able to return home. “It is not yet safe for nearby residents to return due to the ongoing smoke development during the firefighting,” the fire brigade said. According to the safety region, the situation is being monitored closely.
The fire at the church attracted a large crowd during the New Year celebrations. This even led to traffic jams, as several streets were closed because of the fire. Due to the crowds, emergency services were not always able to get through easily, a spokesperson for the safety region said.
How old is Vondelkerk Church?
Construction of the Vondelkerk began in 1872, and the building was eventually consecrated and opened for Catholic worship in 1880. It was designed by the famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers and underwent a restoration drive in the 1970s, following which it was used as a multifunctional space for offices, concerts, and weddings.