On the afternoon of Saturday, March 1, 2025, a major fire erupted at snackbar Plokker in the center of Winterswijk, Netherlands, prompting swift emergency responses and public safety alerts. The incident began around noon when the owner of the snackbar heard explosions and saw smoke billowing from the exhaust system. "He ran upstairs and tried to extinguish the fire from there, but it was unsuccessful," reported a spokesperson from the safety region.
Within minutes, the fire escalated, and emergency services responded rapidly. The spokesperson noted, "Ten minutes after the start of the fire, we already escalated the situation to a large fire." Flames were seen shooting out from the roof, and significant amounts of smoke filled the area, leading the local authorities to issue an NL-Alert. This alert advised residents to close their windows and doors and shut off ventilation systems to avoid inhaling harmful smoke. The message emphasized, "Stay out of the smoke! Close windows and doors. Turn off ventilation." The alert was issued in both Dutch and German, recognizing the influx of German visitors to the market on Saturday.
Emergency responders faced challenges reaching the fire site due to the Saturday market's heavy foot traffic. A spokesperson commented, "The municipality managed the access routes efficiently, but on such a busy Saturday, it was still somewhat difficult." The urgency of the situation led to the evacuation of the adjacent hotel and nearby shops, preventing potential health hazards from smoke inhalation. The police confirmed the necessity of clearing the market area as crowds gathered.
Firefighters from multiple local departments were deployed to contain the blaze. Assistance also arrived from German fire brigades from Vreden and Südlohn, collaborating to fight the rapidly spreading fire. Currently, there is no information on possible injuries or the extent of damage resulting from the fire. With the snackbar being located near the market, many shoppers were forced to evacuate, and market vendors hurried to pack up their goods as the area was cordoned off for safety measures.
Besides the immediate danger posed by the flames, reports indicated potential concerns about asbestos release from the building materials of the historic structure. This prompted urgent warnings to maintain distance from the site and to avoid approaching it.
By around 1:15 PM, the entire market square had been evacuated, allowing firefighters to intensify their efforts to bring the blaze under control. The incident drew significant attention as it disrupted not only the market activities but also raised concerns about public safety amid the smoke. The local fire department remains actively engaged, working to manage the fire and assess the situation as it develops.
Authorities assure the public they are monitoring the air quality and will provide updates as conditions change. Community residents are urged to stay informed and heed safety alerts as firefighting efforts continue.
This incident has shocked the Winterswijk community, highlighting the potential hazards associated with urban fires and the importance of prompt emergency response. The days to come will likely involve extensive clean-up and reporting, with many hoping for the swift conclusion of the firefighting efforts and the safe return of daily activities within the town's center.