An Amsterdam church, built around 150 years ago, was engulfed in flames in the early hours of 2026, prompting large-scale evacuations in the Dutch capital. The tragedy caused extensive damage to the cultural monument known as the Vondelkerk, which is not used for religious purposes. So far no casualties have been reported.
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According to local authorities, the fire broke out around 12:45 a.m. and the flames ravaged the historic neo-Gothic tower of the church. The fire quickly destroyed the roof of the Vondelkerk and caused the collapse of its tower. Strong winds scattered sparks and burning debris in the surrounding area, according to the region’s security department. Fire officials said the fire was brought under control around 11 a.m. and, based on a structural engineer’s assessment, confirmed the church walls would remain standing.
The cause of the fire is still unknown and a joint investigation by police and firefighters could take weeks, as Marco de Leeuw, spokesman for the Amsterdam-Amstelland safety region, responsible for emergency services and firefighting, said.
The fire occurred during New Year celebrations, a time when many people set off fireworks. On social media, speculation from local residents suggests that the rocket could be the cause of the disaster.
De Leeuw emphasizes that there is no evidence that anyone was inside the church at the time of the fire – and that no deaths are expected to occur as a result of the fire. As of midday yesterday, firefighters had still not been able to carry out a thorough inspection of the interior of the church, which continues to be considered dangerous.
Neighboring houses were evacuated overnight and the electricity supply was interrupted. A makeshift shelter was set up to accommodate displaced citizens, accommodating dozens of people at night, according to a website run by a group of authorities.
The fire occurred amid moves to ban fireworks in homes in the Netherlands. Fireworks are already banned in public spaces in Amsterdam and other major cities, and the sale of art will be suspended nationwide from this year.
Originally used for Catholic worship, the Vondelkerk was built in the 1870s, according to Stadsherstel, a local urban restoration group. The temple fell into a state of deterioration in the late 1970s and was renovated to host cultural events and other activities. The structure was designed by Pierre Cuypers, the Dutch architect responsible for the famous Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Central Station. This is not the first fire to hit the church: the original tower was destroyed in another fire in 1904.
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