'%20id='ico-down'%20stroke='%23000000'%20stroke-width='1.5'%3e%3cg%20transform='translate(1092.250000,%20254.750000)'%3e%3cpolyline%20id='Path-2-Copy-4'%20transform='translate(5.500000,%202.750000)%20scale(1,%20-1)%20rotate(-180.000000)%20translate(-5.500000,%20-2.750000)%20'%20points='0%200%205.5%205.5%2011%200'%3e%3c/polyline%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
5 April 2004
AMSTERDAM — A serious fire at a skating centre in The Hague created an enormous plume of black smoke over the south west of the city on Monday. Nearby roads were closed and homeowners were advised to keep their windows shut.
Police evacuated people from a nearby flat and a sports centre after the fire erupted at the skating centre Uithof shortly after 4pm. Fire officers suspect the blaze may have been caused by renovation work on the roof of the complex.
Several blasts, probably caused by exploding gas cylinders, have been heard.
The fire has caused serious traffic disruptions as the police have closed the section of the Lozerlaan near the fire to all traffic, newspaper De Telegraaf reported.
De Lozerlaan is an important route in the west of the city.
For pictures of the blaze from nu.nl, click here
[Copyright Expatica news]
Subject: Dutch news