BERGEN OP ZOOM - Early on New Year's Day, a fire erupted at the Dirk van den Broek supermarket located on Noordgeest in Bergen op Zoom. Witnesses described how the flames quickly spread, engulfing the supermarket's roof within moments. Fire brigades responded swiftly, deploying multiple units to combat the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings. Police cordoned off the area to assure the safety of bystanders and to give the emergency services ample space to work.
The cause of the fire remains unclear at this time, with investigators set to probe the incident once the flames are fully under control. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries resulting from the fire, but the damage to the structure appears significant. Residents nearby have been advised to keep windows and doors shut due to the large amounts of smoke produced by the fire. Authorities expect to provide more information as the situation develops.
According to local news outlet Omroep Brabant, after the fire was brought under control around 2 a.m., Jan den Otter, the supermarket's sales leader, shared his relief. "You always get scared, and it is super annoying. But the most important thing is what has happened here has stayed here. It affects many people: the neighborhood, your own employees. But we are relieved the building still stands and no victims have been reported," he stated.
While firefighters managed to bring the main fire under control and prevented it from fully engulfing the building, they did reportedly face challenges with smaller hotspots within the supermarket. The fire, described by the Zeeland-West Brabant safety region as quite intense, was met with multiple fire engines and aerial platforms to access the roof and extinguish the flames safely.
Once the smoke began to subside, investigators and insurance adjusters faced their next task: assessing the damage. "There is significant water and smoke damage which will require extensive clean-up and repairs. The roof will need replacement among other restorations," den Otter explained.
An unusual incident during the firefighting efforts was the arrest of a man at the scene who reportedly argued with police and refused to leave when told to do so. This disturbance occurred as firefighters worked to contain the flames, demonstrating the chaotic environment surrounding such emergencies.
Visible from afar, the smoke plume raised alarms throughout the neighboring area. Residents were warned by the fire department to stay indoors to mitigate the effects of the smoke. Community members expressed their concerns about the fire's impact, as the supermarket served as both a shopping hub and community pillar.
Firefighters confirmed nearly complete control of the fire by 2:30 a.m., with only minor flare-ups and white smoke evident afterward. The fire had completely destroyed significant portions of the roof, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the fire's spread.
Overall, the event has left the Bergen op Zoom community shaken, especially those who frequent the supermarket. The store's closure will affect local shopping habits, yet most are thankful for the absence of casualties.
Looking forward, local authorities will work closely with den Otter and the store management to determine the future of the Dirk van den Broek supermarket. The investigation surrounding the cause of the fire will take precedence as they aim to prevent such incidents from occurring again.