Major fire breaks out at historic church in Amsterdam
- - Major fire breaks out at historic church in Amsterdam
Kelly-Anne TaylorJanuary 1, 2026 at 6:10 AM
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The 154-year-old church ‘cannot be saved’ - Remko De Waal
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, has been declared a regional emergency and several dozen homes have been evacuated. All surrounding streets, close to the historic Vondelkerk church, have been closed off.
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.
The church tower has collapsed - Laurens Niezen
As of 2.30am 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 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,” said Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema. “Our first concern and priority now is the well-being and homes of the immediate residents.”
Several dozen homes have been evacuated and surrounding streets have been closed off - Laurens Niezen
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.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
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Source: “AOL Breaking”
