Shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day, a fire broke out in the spire of the Vondelchurch in central Amsterdam.
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The neo-Gothic building, completed in 1880 and out of service since 1977, was soon engulfed in flames believed to have started from fireworks.
The church, a familiar landmark near Vondelpark, collapsed as the fire spread through its wooden tower.
Nearby residents were urged to leave their homes while firefighters tried to contain the blaze. Streets around the site were cordoned off through the night.
By early morning, little remained of the historic structure beyond its scorched brick walls, leaving locals shocked at the loss of one of Amsterdam’s quieter icons.
