A Monumental Church in Amsterdam Is Ravaged by Flames on New Year’s Day
The New York Times••world
Key Points:
- A deconsecrated 150-year-old church in Amsterdam, the Vondelkerk, caught fire early on New Year’s Day, causing extensive damage including the collapse of its tower, but no casualties were reported.
- The fire, which began around 12:45 a.m., spread rapidly through the neo-Gothic spire and roof, with strong winds spreading sparks and debris to nearby areas, leading to evacuations and power cuts in surrounding homes.
- Firefighters brought the blaze under control by 11 a.m., but the church interior remained unsafe to enter, and investigations into the cause—potentially linked to nearby fireworks—are expected to take weeks.
- The Vondelkerk, designed by architect
