Amsterdam’s historic Vondelkerk (church) was destroyed by a fire likely caused by fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
According to Euronews, the fire broke out in the church shortly after midnight, indicating that the likely cause was fireworks. The fire spread quickly through the church’s wooden tower, causing the building to collapse.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and did everything possible to contain the fire. Traffic was cut off in the surrounding area and residents were asked to leave for fear the fire could spread.
Emergency services were unable to save the monument, which later collapsed. Video footage of the aftermath shows charred bricks of the historic structure.
Fortunately no injuries were reported. However, locals were left shocked and saddened by the loss of one of the city’s iconic structures.
One resident wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “You can feel the strong heat everywhere. People are shocked. Such a beautiful church. It’s gone.”
The official cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Vondelkerk was built in 1880 and the building has been out of service since 1997. The former Catholic church was a cultural and events venue after closing to worship in the 1970s.
