Smoke curled like restless spirits above the quiet streets of Almelo in the early hours of Monday morning. Residents, suddenly roused from sleep, watched as flames licked the upper floors of a flat on Pieter de Hoochstraat, turning a familiar home into a place of urgency and fear. In these fleeting moments, the ordinary routines of life were replaced by the extraordinary: neighbors looking out for one another, firefighters racing against time, and a community held together by the fragile thread of safety.

By the time the first units arrived just before 6 a.m., the fire had already claimed parts of the building, and thick smoke poured from windows. Firefighters quickly evacuated residents, some of whom were rescued from balconies when stairwells became unsafe. Teams from Almelo and surrounding towns — Wierden, Vriezenveen, Borne, Hengelo, and Nijverdal — coordinated their efforts to contain the blaze and prevent further harm.

Amid the chaos, one resident suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, while several others were treated for smoke inhalation. The swift response of emergency services undoubtedly prevented further tragedy. Neighbors and onlookers were left with a mix of relief and apprehension, grateful for the lives saved, yet shaken by the sight of a home touched by fire.

As the morning light revealed the extent of the damage, the building’s charred interiors and blackened facades stood in stark contrast to the calm streets around it. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, and investigations are ongoing. For the residents, the event is a stark reminder of both vulnerability and resilience — how quickly life can be disrupted and how communities rally in moments of crisis.

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Sources : AD.nl NL Times Tubantia Omroep Gelderland / RTV Oost De Telegraaf