Students homeless after major fire

Students homeless after major fire

A major fire in Amsterdam destroyed part of an apartment complex for students, starters and young status holders on Sunday. Dozens of container flats were lost. One resident has been arrested for arson.

The fire in Amsterdam Nieuw-West was discovered Sunday morning, when many residents were still sleeping. They were able to get out safely, but six cats and a lizard did not survive the fire, reports the fire brigade. 

The block of houses where the fire broke out collapsed. In adjacent blocks, there is a lot of smoke damage and the fire brigade had to kick down doors when evacuating, reports the Amsterdam newspaper Het Parool. 

The residents of the 565 houses were sheltered in a sports hall. Some of them were able to return home Sunday evening after the electricity was reconnected in the undamaged residential blocks.

The occupant of the flat where the fire broke out was detained by the police. He had been having mental health problems for some time, several media reported. Several residents did not feel safe in the complex and complained of overdue maintenance. (HOP, HC)