Fire breaks out at historic Vondelkerk church in Amsterdam

A large fire broke out at a nearly 150-year-old church in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, according to initial reports. The fire began shortly after the New Year.

The fire was reported early Thursday at the Vondelkerk, located on Vondelstraat in the Dutch capital. As of around 2:30 a.m. local time, the blaze was still active and a large emergency response remained at the scene.

The fire appeared to originate near the top of the church and spread rapidly through much of the structure. Live video footage showed parts of the upper section appearing to collapse, though authorities have not confirmed the extent of the damage.

An emergency warning issued through the Dutch public alert system advised residents to stay away from the area due to heavy smoke.

“Fire with a lot of smoke in Vondelstraat, Amsterdam. Stay out of the smoke. Close windows and doors. Switch ventilation systems off. Keep your distance and allow emergency services to operate freely,” the alert said. Authorities said nearby homes were being evacuated as a precaution.

Officials have not released information about injuries, and the cause of the fire has not been determined. Fire crews were seen battling the blaze as thick smoke spread through the neighborhood.

Vondelkerk, also known as Vondel Church, was completed in 1879 and is nearly 150 years old. Designed in the neo-Gothic style, the church is a well-known landmark near Vondelpark. The building is considered architecturally significant and is one of Amsterdam’s most recognizable buildings.

Het instorten van de toren gefilmd door nog een omstanderhttps://t.co/BuFfztkJcI pic.twitter.com/JIa5HVCMVy

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