A significant fire erupted on Sunday evening at Professor Mulderslaan, Oudenbosch, forcing the evacuation of three homes. The blaze broke out around 21:15, initially igniting from an overkapping (canopy) located in the backyard of one home.
Firefighters were dispatched quickly, but the flames spread rapidly, engulfing the attached residence. Reports indicate the fire was brought under control by approximately 22:15, but it reignited around 23:00, prompting greater urgency.
"Despite the quick response from the fire brigade, the fire jumped to the house," explained Wies van Erp, reporting for Algemeen. The area saw several emergency vehicles arrive, including at least two aerial ladders to tackle the flames from the rooftops.
The rapid spread required hard decisions. By 23:30, authorities classified the situation as "a major fire," indicating the increasing severity and the need for more resources. Residents of the affected homes were safely evacuated. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
"We’ve evacuated the residents safely, and they are being housed elsewhere for the night," Van Erp detailed. Residents were provided temporary shelters as the fire continued to rage. The local fire department remained active on the scene well past midnight, battling the stubborn flames which kept flaring up.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. While firefighters worked diligently, the flames caused significant smoke and fire damage to the structures involved. The residential street was blocked off to mitigate risk and allow emergency operations to proceed without interruption.
By 00:45, it was reported the fire was finally under control, but firefighters expected to spend several more hours ensuring the situation was entirely safe and extinguishing any remaining hotspots. A spokesperson for the firefighting team stated: "We are committed to making sure this fire is completely extinguished, which we anticipate will take some time. It’s the safety of both the affected residents and our team that's our priority. We cannot rush the process."
Residents who were evacuated were grateful for the swift response of the emergency services. One local resident commented on the tense situation, noting their fear as the flames spread unexpectedly. "It's been terrifying, but thankfully we are safe now, and the firefighters have been incredible throughout this ordeal," they shared.
Meanwhile, the fire department's support group, Stichting Salvage, has begun outreach to assist the displaced families with the next steps, helping them deal with the aftermath of the fire.
The situation serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by house fires and the quick actions necessary to address them. Local authorities encourage residents to engage with fire safety practices and have evacuation plans prepared, just as precautionary measures.
The community remains on alert as investigations continue to determine what caused the fire. Firefighters and local leaders are expected to hold community discussions about fire safety and prevention measures following this incident.
This event will surely lead to heightened awareness and preparation to prevent similar situations from arising again, as the residents take stock of the losses and the fortunate outcome of avoiding injuries.
