Fire in Amsterdam student flat possibly ignited over rainbow flags

Fire in Amsterdam student flat possibly ignited over rainbow flags

 

A large fire in a student flat on Krelis Louwenstraat in Amsterdam was probably deliberately started. The police suspect that the arsonists were targeting rainbow flags.

 

The fire raged on Friday morning on the eighth floor of the flat and could be extinguished within an hour. Initial investigations indicate that arson attempts were made at several places in the building. According to the police, there had already been incidents in and around the building where rainbow flags had been targeted. 

 

Four victims were injured. They were taken to hospital. Four other residents had to be rescued from their balconies by the fire brigade using a ladder truck. The building has now been fully evacuated and the other residents have been given shelter in the neighbourhood. 

 

The investigation into the possibly LGBTQ+ related arson is still ongoing. The police are looking for people who saw or heard something in the vicinity of the student flat. 

 

(HOP, Josefine van Enk)