Picnic distribution centre burns to the ground, fire brigade investigates

Close-up of the front of a Dutch fire engine
Photo: Depositphotos.com
Close-up of the front of a Dutch fire engine
Photo: Depositphotos.com

A fire which broke out on Sunday night has completely destroyed the premises of web-based supermarket Picnic in Almelo.

The fire brigade, which quickly upgraded the fire to ‘very serious’ and had to mobilise several units in the region, said no people were present at the time. An adjacent building could be saved from the flames.

The fire may have been caused by a short circuit in an electric delivery van, it has been suggested, but investigators are still trying to identify the exact cause.

The Picnic depot serves at Zeearend, Almelo and the surrounding region. Some 60 people work there.

Picnic was founded in 2015 and currently delivers groceries in 125 cities in the Netherlands and Germany.

Last year it raised €600m from a variety of investors, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to finance its international expansion.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation