Fire Ravages Historic Amsterdam Church on New Year's

A massive fire devastated a historic church in Amsterdam early on New Year's Day, capping a night of widespread chaos across the Netherlands marked by two fireworks-related deaths, serious injuries and unprecedented violence against police and emergency workers.

The blaze erupted around 12:45 a.m. at the Vondelkerk, a neo-Gothic landmark built in 1872 that overlooks the city's popular Vondelpark. Flames rapidly consumed the roof and 164-foot tower, which collapsed during the incident. Firefighters contained the fire by late morning after evacuating dozens of nearby homes and cutting power to about 90 residences to aid their efforts. Strong winds scattered burning debris, threatening adjacent buildings. Amsterdam authorities reported no injuries from the fire, and structural engineers assessed the outer walls as stable, though the interior sustained severe damage. The deconsecrated church, once a Roman Catholic site and now used as a cultural center and concert venue, stands as a key monument in the Dutch capital. Investigators have not determined the cause, with some local reports suggesting fireworks may have played a role.

The fire was one of several tragedies during...