A massive blaze tore through the iconic Vondelkerk just before 1 a.m., gutting the church tower and sending flames visible for miles. Firefighters raced to the scene, but the tower eventually collapsed under the intense heat.
Riot Police Deployed Amid New Year’s Eve Mayhem
Chaos spilled beyond the fire. Riot cops were called out twice to Floradorp’s Dotterbloemstraat as tensions boiled over. The mood turned sour with officers battling growing unrest.
In De Banne, after midnight, local youths tried to storm a shopping centre, prompting another heavy police response and more disorder.
Fire Brigade Declares ‘Very Large Fire’ Emergency
By 1 a.m., emergency services raised the alarm to Grip 1, mobilising fire, police, and ambulance teams to tackle the crisis. The brigade called it a “very large” fire, struggling against the fierce blaze consuming the church tower.
New Year’s Eve Tensions Flare Across the City
- At Dam Square, police broke up revellers after a violent scuffle nearly spiralled out of control.
- Music near the Christmas tree was cut short as crowds slowly dispersed.
- Earlier, riot officers stepped in at Floradorp to control a rapidly spreading street fire.
Authorities warn people to avoid affected areas while investigations continue. Stay with us for live updates on this developing story.
