Man killed in Veendam explosion was ‘notorious troublemaker’

The man killed in Wednesday morning’s explosion at a housing complex in Veendam was a notorious trouble maker, broadcaster NOS said.

Housing association Acantus was in talks with the man on finding him alternative accommodation, while neighbours say he had a history of addiction problems and psychological problems.

According to the Telegraaf, the man was in his 30s and had left messages on Facebook saying he planned to ‘sleep for a very long time’. The paper also said he had mentioned ‘an explosion’.

The blast shortly before 7am sent debris over a wide area. Veendam mayor Sipke Swierstra said building appears to have been ripped apart by a gas explosion and that this was ‘very likely’ to have been caused by the victim.

The blast, which destroyed the fourth floor of the block, has left 36 apartments badly damaged. The housing association is now assessing if the entire complex has to be demolished.

On Twitter locals described an enormous explosion. Gernant Deekens told the NOS his entire house began to shake. ‘I stood in the bathroom and thought, this is not good,’ he said.

Deekens said the building is lived in but that he was not aware if anyone had been injured. ‘The street is full of debris,’ he said. ‘The windows of the building opposite have been broken and some roof tiles are missing.’

[Foto Update] Explosie in Veendam verwoest appartementencomplex – Veendam- Een zware gasexplosie heeft … – https://t.co/IJHc6cJ4yw pic.twitter.com/yMn4Rmbnns

— Noordernieuws (@noordernieuws) April 19, 2017

https://t.co/uBwi5UHS4l Lees meer over de explosie in #Veendam op #Menterwolde.info @Middengroningen pic.twitter.com/BtbH44ruIt

— René Beishuizen (@robeisio) April 19, 2017

Heftig. #veendam #explosie 112gr. pic.twitter.com/HoI1yhZP6p

— Martin Nuver (@112groningennl) April 19, 2017

Bovenste etage is er letterlijk vanaf geslagen. #ontploffing #veendam pic.twitter.com/0of9bArrGY

— Martin Koning (@MartinKoning) April 19, 2017