A fire broke out Sunday afternoon at the Tolhuistuin cultural venue located at IJpromenade, Amsterdam-Noord, during a performance by popular TikTok personality Lisanne Dijkstra. Approximately 600 attendees were evacuated hastily as the incident unfolded around 14:55.
The flames were initially mistaken as part of the show by some audience members. "Er waren ook vlammen te zien bij de brand. Iedereen dacht nog heel even dat het bij de show hoorde. Toen er ook brand te ruiken was is iedereen rustig naar buiten gegaan," remarked one witness who attended the show with her daughter. Eyewitnesses reported thick smoke filling the venue and strong odors wafting through the air as the fire alarms sounded.
Multiple fire trucks were dispatched to the scene as the situation developed, leading to quick action by the fire department. A spokesperson commented, "Er is goed gehandeld met het ontruimen," praising the efficient evacuation process. The firefighters utilized overpressure fans to ventilate the building once the fire was under control.
Just before the flames ignited, cold fireworks were used as part of Dijkstra's performance. The fire department has yet to determine if this contributed to the fire outbreak. The fire spokesperson indicated, "We hebben vooraf getest om problemen te voorkomen en voldeed alles aan de normen," leading to speculation about whether safety standards were met.
Despite the chaos, the damage to the Tolhuistuin appeared to be limited, and efforts were made to reopen the venue shortly after the incident. Attendees were allowed back inside the venue around 16:00, but unfortunately, the show could not continue. The management confirmed later shows scheduled for the evening were canceled, but both performances will be rescheduled at a future date.
After the incident, Lisanne Dijkstra took to the outside of the building, where she interacted with children and their parents by handing out autographs and expressing her gratitude for their support during the unfortunate event. The mood was one of resilience as attendees showed their appreciation for Dijkstra and her efforts to engage with them, even following the unexpected evacuation.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the fire's cause, and no definitive conclusions have been drawn yet about the link between the fireworks and the incident. For now, the Tolhuistuin remains committed to hosting events safely, ensuring such incidents are thoroughly reviewed to prevent future occurrences.
The incident has certainly drawn attention to the popular venue and its events. Visitors are left with the memory of Dijkstra's performance cut short and the urgency of the evacuation, raising discussions about safety protocols during live performances.
The day ended with community questions about safety and entertainment at cultural events, reminding everyone of the unforeseen circumstances performers and audiences can face. Fortunately, with no significant injuries reported, and the commitment to reschedule shows, the spirit of enjoyment remains vibrant within Amsterdam's cultural scene.