Fire on reception boat in Zaandam, 300 asylum seekers leave their beds at night

A reception boat for asylum seekers in Zaandam was evacuated last night after a fire. According to the safety zone, around 300 residents had to leave the boat as soon as possible.

The fire was discovered in one of the shelter’s rooms halfway through the night. According to the fire department, a lot of smoke was released. Electric bike charger may be the reason. “Research is still being done, but it may have something to do with short circuit.” The flames were eventually extinguished by the sprinkler system.

No one was injured in the fire. However, two security guards and two residents had to be checked by paramedics because they had inhaled smoke.

The occupants of the shelter ship were received on the pier. Most were able to return inside after the fire was extinguished. Some of them could not return because of the floods that caused their expulsion. They are taken care of at a nearby location.

According to the COA, there are currently two non-residential rooms. The staff office on the ground floor was also damaged. “There are screens and a printer that suffered damage, but the shelter can continue as usual.”