LEEUWARDEN – A massive fire erupted at Zayn Nightlife, located on Ruiterskwartier in Leeuwarden, on the evening of March 1, 2025, sending toxic black smoke billowing through the city. The alarm was raised around 9:17 PM, triggering multiple emergency responders, including firefighting units from Burgum, due to the scale of the inferno.
By quickly assessing the situation, authorities escalated the response to ‘Grip 1,’ which indicates the severity of the event and the potential for significant impact on the surrounding area. The initial assessment revealed no one was inside the nightclub at the time of the fire, but the flames rapidly spread to adjacent buildings, prompting wider evacuations.
Local residents reported seeing dense smoke clouds visible from far beyond the city, which raised immediate health concerns, especially after officials indicated the possibility of asbestos being released due to the combustion of materials within the structure. “We are doing everything we can to contain the fire and keep the surrounding area safe,” explained Priscilla Klock, the fire department spokesperson. “Our focus now is primarily on fighting the flames from outside the building because it’s no longer safe to enter.”
Those evacuated included patrons of nearby establishments, with authorities conducting thorough assessments of the smoke’s impact on the environment. A notable number of people were treated for inhaling smoke. Witnesses recounted how the evacuation swiftly shifted from the nightlife atmosphere to immediate chaos, as citizens took to the streets with their pets and personal belongings.
The fire's intensity led to the issuance of an NL-Alert, which urged residents and visitors to remain indoors and close all doors and windows to avoid smoke inhalation. With Saturday night known for its heavy foot traffic due to nightlife, many onlookers were drawn to the scene, complicliking the emergency response efforts.
Many popular venues such as Café Feniks, located near the site, faced forced closures for the night. Staff members at music café Scooter's confirmed their establishment was evacuated as well, coinciding with the growing apprehension during the incident.
The event at Zayn Nightlife, dubbed 'Back to the 90’s,' which was scheduled to commence at 11:00 PM featuring performances from various DJs, has been canceled due to the unforeseen circumstances. With the status of nearby businesses affected, safety and community well-being have taken priority over entertainment.
Efforts to control the fire continued well after nightfall. The fire department utilized drones to gain aerial views of the burning structure and accessed difficult-to-reach areas. Bystanders observed as firefighting crews worked tirelessly, battling flames and containing the situation, underscoring the urgency and danger posed by the swiftly spreading fire.
The Leeuwarden community finds itself grappling with the repercussions of the incident, as many residents may be displaced during the assessment and cleanup process following the incident. Local officials will likely call for inspections and support to those affected by this event as the city evaluates damage, recovery, and safety strategies moving forward.
Cloaked beneath the haze of smoke, the aftermath of the fire at Zayn Nightlife leaves both the community and local authorities reevaluated safety procedures, especially for entertainment venues historically frequented on weekends. It remains to be seen how this incident will impact nightlife culture moving forward.