Fire destroys youth care facility in Beekbergen

Firefighters in the Gelderland town of Beekbergen are still trying to contain a blaze on Wednesday that destroyed a youth care facility.

The local safety board says teams are “extinguishing hidden pockets of fire” from the inferno that broke out late Tuesday evening.

Around 20 people were evacuated and one person was rushed to the hospital. The cause of the fire is not yet clear.

The flames quickly spread to a nearby wooded area and more than 150 children hundred children attending a local camp were also evacuated.

The facility is a residential care home for young people with complex psychological problems, behavioural problems or autism. Security staff said all residents were accounted for. 186 children attending a nearby summer camp were also evacuated.

The building is considered to be a total loss. It dates from 1981 and is suspected to contain asbestos. The authorities have cordoned off the area and asked residents to close their windows as a precautionary measure.