Fire spreads through downtown Alkmaar

Approximately 40 people had to be evacuated from their homes in Alkmaar because of a large fire in two buildings in the shopping street Langestraat. The fire started just after 03:00 this morning on the roof of a house above a shop on Langestraat. At around 06:00 a.m. the fire spread to the adjacent building. The fire department is having a lot of trouble with extinguishing the fire as the buildings are difficult and dangerous to enter. Firefighters are trying to extinguish the fire from above using platforms. There are many older buildings on Langestraat, built very close together. The neighboring stores have been severely damaged by smoke and water. The cause of the fire is still unknown. A spokesperson for the Safety region Noord-Holland Noord has announced that there are no asbestos in the buildings. Several homes in the immediate area were evacuated. The about 40 people in those homes were given shelter in the municipal office. https://twitter.com/TrendolizerNL/status/550558053121417216