2025 Arnhem city fire
 Jansstraat 28, the building where the fire started, in 2010. | |
| Date | March 6, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 3:45 a.m. (CET) |
| Duration | 10 hours, 5 minutes |
| Location | City center of Arnhem, the Netherlands, between Jansstraat, Rozemarijnsteeg, Varkensstraat and Munterstraat. |
| Coordinates | 51°58′55″N 5°54′22″E / 51.98194°N 5.90611°E |
| Cause | Arson |
| Motive | Under investigation |
| Perpetrator | Under investigation |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Property damage | 25 buildings damaged or destroyed |
| Arrests | Three arson suspects |
On 6 March 2025, a major city fire broke out in Arnhem, the Netherlands. The fire destroyed a block of shops and upstairs apartments in the historic city center.
Buildings damaged and gutted by the fire included national monuments and municipal monuments.
Course
[edit]At around 03:45 on the night of 6 March 2025, a fire started at a SoLow store in the Jansstraat, and spread to several other historic stores. The fire brigade arrived to the scene with 150-200 men, completely closing off the city center.[1][2] The fire brigade allowed the entire block between the Jansstraat, Rozemarijnsteeg, Varkensstraat and Munterstraat to burn down in a controlled manner. The block up to the Pauwstraat also suffered damage. About ten historic buildings were affected. Affected stores include Etos, travel agency TUI, and The Body Shop. The homes above the stores in the block also burned down.[3]
The fire was under control at around 1:50 p.m., with no known casualties reported. The Mayor of Arnhem Ahmed Marcouch prematurely ended his vacation to return to Arnhem, following the fire.[4] Several fundraising events were held for the residents affected by the fire, raising over €33,000 together.[5]
On 7 March, asbestos was discovered in buildings damaged by the fire.[6]
Cause
[edit]Three suspects were arrested.[7] After initially speculating that the attack was targeted, the police later ruled out the possibility.[8] One of the suspects, a 57-year-old man, had been known to police as a troublemaker prior to the fire, and had previously been evicted from his residence.[9]
Buildings affected
[edit]About 25 buildings were destroyed by the fire.[10] Among the burned-out buildings was a Rijksmonument and several municipal monuments.[6]
The fire destroyed several architecturally historical buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries. Jansstraat 24, where the Etos store was located, dates from the 15th century. The buildings were notable for surviving the Battle of Arnhem.[11]
On 19 March, the demolition of the historic buildings' facades began.[12] Several more buildings damaged by the fire were planned to be demolished, with very few of the structures impacted being deemed salvageable.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Zeker tien historische panden in brand in centrum Arnhem, binnenstad afgesloten" [At least ten historic buildings on fire in Arnhem city center, city center closed]. nos.nl (in Dutch). 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ "Lees hier terug wat er gebeurde rond de brand in het centrum van Arnhem" [Read here what happened around the fire in the center of Arnhem]. nu.nl. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ "Zeker tien historische panden in brand in centrum Arnhem, binnenstad afgesloten" [At least ten historic buildings on fire in Arnhem city center, city center closed off]. nos.nl (in Dutch). 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ "Liveblog grote brand binnenstad Arnhem" [Live blog major fire in Arnhem city center]. www.arnhem.nl (in Dutch). 2025-03-19. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ "Two fundraising campaigns have so far raised over 33,000 euros for residents and entrepreneurs affected by the major fire in the centre of Arnhem. Several buildings went up in flames this week". nu.nl. March 9, 2025. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ a b "Toch asbest gevonden na verwoestende brand in binnenstad Arnhem" [Asbestos found after devastating fire in Arnhem city center]. nos.nl (in Dutch). 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ "Drie verdachten aangehouden voor betrokkenheid bij brand" [Three suspects arrested for involvement in fire]. www.politie.nl (in Dutch). 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ "OM: brand Arnhem geen aanslag op SoLow-winkel" [OM: Arnhem fire not an attack on SoLow store]. nos.nl (in Dutch). 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ "Arson suspect in Arnhem is a known troublemaker, previously evicted from home". nu.nl. 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ "Grote brand in centrum Arnhem geblust: "Zo'n 25 gebouwen verwoest"" [Major fire in Arnhem city center extinguished: "About 25 buildings destroyed"]. vrtnws.be (in Dutch). 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ "Dit is de historische waarde van de getroffen panden in Arnhem" [This is the historical value of the affected buildings in Arnhem]. www.gld.nl (in Dutch). 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ "Sloopwerk door brand getroffen gevels Arnhem begonnen" [Demolition work on facades affected by fire in Arnhem has started]. nos.nl (in Dutch). 2025-03-19. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ Helfferich, Milla; Veth, Huibert (2025-03-19). "Meer sloop dan verwacht na brand in historische panden Arnhem" [More demolition than expected after fire in historic buildings in Arnhem]. www.gld.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- 2025 disasters in Europe
- 2025 fires
- March 2025 in the Netherlands
- Building and structure fires in the Netherlands
- Events in Arnhem
- Residential building fires in Europe
- Attacks on buildings and structures in the Netherlands
- March 2025 crimes
- Attacks on shops in Europe
- Residential building arson attacks in Europe
- Attacks on buildings and structures in 2025
- Arson in 2025