Explosion strikes Rotterdam-Noord apartment entry, sparks fire, forces residents outside

An explosion ripped through the entrance of a portico apartment building on Agniesestraat in Rotterdam-Noord early Sunday at about 2:45 a.m., sparking a brief fire and forcing residents into the street, Rijnmond reports.

Rijnmond's 112 correspondent reports that authorities are investigating the possible use of a heavy explosive device. No injuries were reported.

The blast occurred at night from Saturday into Sunday. Residents heard the explosion, and shortly afterward, a fire broke out. According to a police spokesperson, a resident managed to extinguish some flames before emergency services fully took over the scene.

The impact left the building’s shared entry area in ruins. Smoke and fire blackened the walls, shattered a light fixture, and forced multiple front doors out of alignment.