The cause was probably a gas explosion.Image: keystone
Jan 16, 2026, 6:24 p.mJan 16, 2026, 6:24 p.m
Four people were slightly injured in an explosion and fire in the center of the Dutch city of Utrecht on Thursday. Authorities in Utrecht said the fire was probably caused by a gas explosion.
Emergency services and sniffer dogs searched for victims all night long. But no further injuries or deaths were found, a spokesman for the authorities said.
Four people were injured.Image: keystone
A big bang scared people late on Thursday afternoon. After the explosion, fire broke out in a two-story residential building in the old town.
Emergency services were on the scene quickly and initially feared that there would be many injuries and that the fire could spread to other buildings. According to authorities, residents of the apartment were not at home at the time of the explosion.
The damage is great. Some buildings next to the burned-out house are at risk of collapse. A few dozen residents were unable to return to their homes overnight and were accommodated in a hotel. (sda/dpa)
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