Fire in Amsterdam Nieuw-West parking garage forces 55 homes to be evacuated, man arrested
Residents of at least 55 homes above a parking garage cannot return after a fire in the early hours of Friday, 16 October. Police presume the fire was deliberately set and have arrested a 26-year-old Amsterdam man on suspicion of arson.
The fire
In the early hours of Friday, 16 October, a large fire broke out in a parking garage beneath a block of flats on the Theodoor van Hoytemastraat in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, near Rembrandtpark and just outside the A10 ring road. The blaze started around 02.45, and at least five vehicles in the garage were burning, producing thick black smoke. Firefighters sent in a great deal of equipment, including seven tanker fire engines and two aerial platforms, and used a firefighting robot. The fire was under control by 05.15. The Veiligheidsregio Amsterdam-Amstelland asked neighbours to keep windows and doors closed if the smoke bothered them.
Evacuation and power cut
At least 55 homes above the garage were evacuated, according to the safety region, while AD had earlier reported more than fifty. Ambulance staff checked several people for smoke inhalation. One person went to hospital on their own initiative, according to Het Parool, whereas an earlier AD report said none of those checked needed to go to hospital. Residents were housed in a hotel on the same street, where a friend of one resident said most of them had hardly slept. Liander cut the power to the building for safety, which left some surrounding homes and businesses without electricity.
Arrest and investigation
Police say the fire is presumed to have been deliberately set. On Friday morning they arrested a 26-year-old man from Amsterdam on suspicion of arson. Investigators are examining whether a relationship conflict lies behind the fire and have asked witnesses to come forward. Police have not yet established how the fire started.
- Fire breaks out in the parking garage on the Theodoor van Hoytemastraat
- Fire brigade reports the fire is under control
- Police arrest a 26-year-old Amsterdam man on suspicion of arson
When residents can return
The building is not at immediate risk of collapse, but it is too unsafe for residents to live in for now. The damage has to be assessed first, and an inspection will determine which residents can return safely and when. Some residents have been going back briefly to collect belongings before moving on to other accommodation. Whether residents can go home after the weekend remains unclear.
