The bell tower of the Vondelkerk church in Amsterdam , engulfed in flames, completely collapsed this morning due to a fire that broke out after midnight.
The building , located in the heart of the Dutch capital, was almost completely destroyed: the roof and the central section also collapsed, leaving only the external walls standing.
All the houses around the church were evacuated.
According to security authorities, the nearby and well-known Vondelpark is not currently in danger.
The fire had already been declared extensive by 1:00 a.m., given the spread of the flames and the neighborhood's dense population. The blaze also created a thick cloud of smoke and a "huge shower of sparks" toward the east of the city.
The Vondelkerk, according to the city administration, dates back to 1872 and for many years was a popular Catholic church, also known as the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. About a century later, the building, severely neglected, was threatened with demolition. However, a plan was developed to restore and redevelop the church, and in 1980, a foundation was established to make this possible. The church had since become a venue for events and concerts.
(Unioneonline/vl)
