A major fire tore through the Vondelkerk in Amsterdam early on New Year’s Day, causing the partial collapse of the historic church and triggering a regional emergency, authorities said. The blaze broke out just after midnight as 2026 celebrations were underway. Fire crews quickly declared it a major incident as flames spread through the spire of the 154-year-old building, located beside the city’s well-known Vondelpark.
By around 2:30 am local time, the fire was still burning intensely. Officials warned nearby residents to stay indoors due to heavy smoke, while nearly 100 homes in the surrounding area lost electricity as a result of the incident.
Emergency services said burning embers from the structure, made largely of old wood, were being carried by the wind toward the city center. Authorities later confirmed the church could not be saved and warned that further collapse was likely. Local media said that the church may have been hit by fireworks, causing the blaze. Dutch Police Union chief Nine Kooiman said there was “an unprecedented amount of violence against police and emergency services” over New Year’s Eve, and said that she was hit three times with fireworks while out on duty in Amsterdam.
“The church’s characteristic appearance has been lost. It’s a terribly bad and dramatic start to the new year,” an emergency services spokesperson said. A local authority spokeswoman said, according to GB News, “The Vondelkerk is no longer salvageable. The entire church is on fire. The whole church may collapse.”
Footage from the scene showed firefighters battling the blaze from multiple angles as flames and thick smoke poured into the night sky. Crews focused on containing the fire and protecting nearby buildings rather than preserving the structure.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema described the incident as “a very intense and terrible fire in this monumental church.” She said authorities were prioritizing the safety of nearby residents and their homes, which remain the main concern. No injuries have been reported. Officials said Vondelpark itself was not at risk.
The Vondelkerk was built in 1872 and functioned as a Roman Catholic church until 1977. It stands within walking distance of major cultural landmarks, including the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.
By around 2:30 am local time, the fire was still burning intensely. Officials warned nearby residents to stay indoors due to heavy smoke, while nearly 100 homes in the surrounding area lost electricity as a result of the incident.
Emergency services said burning embers from the structure, made largely of old wood, were being carried by the wind toward the city center. Authorities later confirmed the church could not be saved and warned that further collapse was likely. Local media said that the church may have been hit by fireworks, causing the blaze. Dutch Police Union chief Nine Kooiman said there was “an unprecedented amount of violence against police and emergency services” over New Year’s Eve, and said that she was hit three times with fireworks while out on duty in Amsterdam.
“The church’s characteristic appearance has been lost. It’s a terribly bad and dramatic start to the new year,” an emergency services spokesperson said. A local authority spokeswoman said, according to GB News, “The Vondelkerk is no longer salvageable. The entire church is on fire. The whole church may collapse.”
Footage from the scene showed firefighters battling the blaze from multiple angles as flames and thick smoke poured into the night sky. Crews focused on containing the fire and protecting nearby buildings rather than preserving the structure.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema described the incident as “a very intense and terrible fire in this monumental church.” She said authorities were prioritizing the safety of nearby residents and their homes, which remain the main concern. No injuries have been reported. Officials said Vondelpark itself was not at risk.
The Vondelkerk was built in 1872 and functioned as a Roman Catholic church until 1977. It stands within walking distance of major cultural landmarks, including the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.
