The fire in the Veghel church building is under control, but the firefighters are trying at all costs to keep the monumental facade intact. Shortly after midnight a fire broke out in the building next to the Lambertus church at 1 Meester van Coothstraat in Veghel. Firefighters suspect fireworks may have caused the blaze. Nobody was hurt.
The building was completely on fire from top to bottom due to strong winds, flames erupted from the roof. The wind was favorable to the adjoining church. This was not in danger, reports the North Brabant security region.
Firefighters extinguished the building in a controlled manner. The signal for the fire brigade commander has not yet been given, which only happens when there is a security situation. According to firefighters, a witness saw sparks on the roof shortly after midnight. Firefighters believe fireworks may have been to blame.
The building that caught fire is the congregation chapel behind the Lambertuskerk in Veghel, it dates from the year 1890. The roof and side walls of the building have now collapsed, but the fire brigade is trying to keep the facade in feet due to its monumental status. Expect to spend several hours on this.
The building housed a mosque until 2015, which has since moved to Evertsenstraat in Veghel. The building has been empty for a long time, there are rumors that there are plans to establish houses in it.
Shepherd removed
Due to the strong wind, there was also a so-called “flying fire”. A shower of sparks was released by the wind and crashed nearby. Firefighters feared this could lead to new fires and therefore patrolled the area as a precaution. The area around the building has been cordoned off.
The pastor lives in front of the building, he was removed from his home by the firefighters for safety.
Extinguish at great height
Firefighters with various units in the area intervened on the spot which quickly turned into a large fire. To extinguish the fire at great heights, spray bottles, aerial work platforms and car ladders were used, among other things.
The chapel and the Lambertuskerk are located in the center of Veghel, near the Markt. The fire attracted a lot of attention, more than a hundred people stood on the street and watched.
National monument
The church and chapel are national monuments. They were designed by Pierre Cuypers, who also designed the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and a number of other larger churches in the Netherlands.
Spectator Enis Hamurcu filmed the moment the tower of the church building collapsed.
