The death of two adults and three children in a fire at a family home in Hoofddorp on Monday night would appear to be a murder suicide, Haarlemmermeer mayor Theo Weterings said on Tuesday evening.

There are several signs that the fire was started deliberately, including an empty jerrycan, but no evidence outsiders were involved, investigators say. The fire appeared to have been triggered by a small explosion.
It also emerged on Tuesday that the family was known to social workers. The father had asked for help after his wife walked out a month ago but reported later all was back to normal.
The family – a man of Iraqi origin, a Russian woman and three children aged 7, 9 and 11 – had been in the Netherlands since 2000, Nos television said.