A major fire broke out at Club33, a discotheque located on Legeweg in Dokkum, on Saturday evening, causing significant concern among local residents. The fire was reported around 21:16, prompting immediate action from the emergency services as flames initially leapt from the building, creating thick smoke visible throughout the area. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, as the club was unoccupied at the time.
The Dokkum fire department swiftly escalated the situation to "major fire" status, mobilizing multiple fire engines and supporting resources from surrounding municipalities, including Dokkum, Damwâld, Leeuwarden, Harlingen, and Ternaard. The firefighting efforts involved four fire engines, two aerial platforms, and large water transport units, with drone units dispatched for aerial assessment. A spokesperson from Veiligheidsregio Fryslân indicated concern over the dense smoke, advising those nearby, "Stay out of the smoke, close windows and doors." This message was part of the NL-Alert issued to the community.
Initial reports described the fire as spreading rapidly, with flames visible around the roof of the club. According to onlookers, the fire was quite fierce, warranting heightened response measures. The fire department worked predominantly from outside the structure due to safety concerns about the potential collapse of the roof. They aimed to prevent the fire from affecting adjacent buildings. The spokesperson for the fire department remarked, "We are putting everything in to preserve the other buildings." This demonstrates the priority of safeguarding property and the local heritage of Dokkum.
Local authorities worked through the night to stabilize the situation. Residents of nearby apartments were evacuated, and temporary shelter was arranged for them at neighboring facilities. Initial assessments suggested the fire might have started on the roof, and investigations were launched to determine the exact cause. Reports indicated the alarm system had triggered before the outbreak, alerting occupants and emergency services, facilitating the swift response.
The fire was brought under control as the night progressed; nevertheless, it posed challenges due to the structure's integrity. Firefighters had to continuously monitor the situation since the building remained vulnerable to flare-ups from residual embers. By midnight, officials noted, "the fire still smoldered, and it could take several more hours before completely extinguished."
Throughout the incident, the community rallied, with many expressing their gratitude for the firefighters' efforts and resilience. This unfortunate event has heightened awareness of fire safety and emergency preparedness across Dokkum, as the local government continues to evaluate response protocols for such significant incidents.
Local news outlets reported the progress of firefighting operations live, providing updates to keep the community informed. The full recovery from this incident will rely heavily on investigation outcomes and structural assessments to ascertain the safety of buildings adjacent to Club33.
While the fire at Club33 is now under control, local officials will be engaging with community stakeholders to discuss prevention measures and emergency response strategies moving forward. Knowing the impact such events can have on neighborhoods, the importance of proper fire safety and communication cannot be overemphasized.