"The former Catholic Church's roughly 50-metre-high (164-feet) tower and the roof collapsed in the blaze, which an emergency services spokesperson said had made the 154-year-old structure "no longer salvageable." "It is a very intense and terrible fire in this monumental church," lamented Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema. Fire broke out minutes after fireworks The blaze was first reported shortly after midnight and was quickly escalated to a major incident, with firefighters calling in assistance from other regions of the Netherlands."
"The Dutch navy deployed its 60-meter-high aerial work platform to help tackle the blaze, officials said. Local media described how strong winds fanned the flames before the fire was brought under control on Thursday morning. A large number of nearby flats were evacuated as a precaution. No injuries were reported and investigators say they don't know what caused the fire."
A fire largely destroyed Amsterdam's Vondel Church near Vondelpark, collapsing its roughly 50-metre tower and the roof and rendering the 154-year-old structure no longer salvageable. The blaze began shortly after midnight during New Year celebrations and was escalated to a major incident, with firefighters from other regions and the Dutch navy's 60-meter aerial work platform responding. Strong winds fanned the flames before the fire was brought under control. Nearby flats were evacuated as a precaution and no injuries were reported. Investigators have not determined the cause, though speculation centers on illegal New Year's fireworks. The neo-Gothic former Catholic church had served as an event venue since 1977.
Read at www.dw.com
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