Apartment building in The Hague collapses after fire, four injured

7/12/2024 18:33

An apartment building was hit by an explosion and fire in a residential neighbourhood of the Dutch city of The Hague on Saturday morning, the local fire department said, with at least four people injured.



"At around 6:15 a.m. a three-story apartment building partially collapsed and a fire broke out," the Hague fire department said in a statement.



"Up to now four victims have been taken to the hospital."



There was no immediate indication of the cause. Broadcaster NOS interviewed a neighbour who reported hearing a child calling for help as the building burned.



Images of the scene posted on social media platform X from a higher building nearby showed one segment, encompassing five apartments had been reduced to ashes and rubble.



Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a statement he was shocked by images of the disaster and had offered assistance to local authorities.