London: A church on the outskirts of Amsterdam’s famous Vondelpark went up in flames on Thursday morning, causing the church tower to collapse.
The major fire, which started shortly after midnight (Thursday morning AEDT), has been declared a regional emergency and several dozen homes have been evacuated. All surrounding streets close to the historic Vondelkerk have been closed off.
A fire broke out in the tower of the Vondelkerk in Amsterdam shortly after midnight.Credit: ANP via AFP
Videos circulating on social media show dramatic flames engulfing the spire.
The 154-year-old church “cannot be saved” and “the entire church may collapse”, a spokesperson for the Amsterdam-Amstelland Safety Region said.
As of 2.30am, Amsterdam time (12.30pm AEDT), the fire remained unabated and a national alert was issued warning locals of heavy smoke. Emergency services remain at the scene and are attempting to extinguish the fire using water from the adjacent Vondelpark. Firefighters are unable to enter the building due to the risk of collapse.
“It’s a very large, historic building. There’s a lot of wood, and the wind also allows the fire to spread easily and widely,” the spokesperson told Dutch news agency ANP. “The church’s characteristic appearance has been lost. [It’s a] terribly bad and dramatic start to the new year.”
“This is a very intense and terrible fire in this monumental church,” Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said. “Our first concern and priority now is the well-being and homes of the immediate residents.”
The church, located in the centre of the city, close to Leidseplein – Holland’s most famous nightlife district – dates back to 1872. It is a short walk from the popular Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.
