Name: Major fire breaks out in historic church in Amsterdam
Uploaded: 2026-01-01T15:15:45.083Z
Duration: 1 min 13 s
Description: In Amsterdam, during New Years celebrations a large fire broke out in a historic church. Much like the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, the Dutch church had a wooden structure, making fighting the fire that much more difficult.

In Amsterdam, during New Years celebrations a large fire broke out in a historic church. Much like the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, the Dutch church had a wooden structure, making fighting the fire that much more difficult.

Amsterdam

A major fire erupted in the historic Vondelkerk church in central Amsterdam as residents celebrated the new year. Firefighters were unable to enter the over 150-year-old structure due to the risk of collapse, and the church's tower was destroyed.

Authorities closed surrounding streets and evacuated nearby homes because of burning debris, while officials issued an alert about heavy smoke and declared a regional emergency. The cause of the fire is still unknown, with investigators considering whether New Year's fireworks may have played a role.

Major fire breaks out in historic church in Amsterdam

A blaze so great there was no saving the church tower. In the middle of the night, as Amsterdam's residents were ringing in the new year a major fire broke out in the historic Vondelkerk church. Firefighters tried to save the over 150 year old structure but they could not enter. The risk that the church would collapse was too great. As they doused it with water from hoses authorities closed down the streets around the central Amsterdam monument. And local media said that nearby homes were evacuated because of the burning debris. An alert was issued about heavy smoke and officials declared a regional emergency. It really is horrific. I've just been watching. It's almost violently large. The church is very close to many houses. So apart from the loss of a magnificent monument for all people living nearby it's really scary. Built in 1872, the church is in the centre of Amsterdam and just a short walk from the popular Van Gogh museum. The cause of the fire is still unknown as investigators look into whether New Year's fireworks were involved or not.

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