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Large Fire Breaks Out in Dutch City of Utrecht Following Explosion

At least four injured after a 'gigantic' explosion and fire damaged multiple buildings in Utrecht's city centre, with rescue teams still searching for potential victims under rubble.

  • On January 15, a large explosion ignited a major fire in Utrecht, Netherlands city centre, with local outlets describing the blast as 'gigantic' around 3.30pm Thursday.
  • Amid reports of multiple blasts, investigators have not yet determined what caused the explosion as enquiries continue near Mariaplaats, and authorities urged the public to stay away.
  • Emergency services reported multiple injured, with casualty counts ranging from at least one to up to 10, including four near Visscherssteeg; at least a half-dozen ambulances and a medical trauma team were dispatched, and the local hospital in Utrecht established an emergency trauma center.
  • Police cordoned off the scene while the local fire department could not enter buildings due to collapse risk, and local residents were evacuated as the Red Cross called for volunteers soon.
  • Several buildings collapsed or suffered heavy damage with debris scattered, and Mayor Sharon Dijksma warned people may still be trapped, including in a parking-garage stairwell.
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143 Articles

"The gigantic explosion triggered a fire in the historic centre, buildings collapsed, and authorities suspect a gas leak as a cause.

·Frankfurt, Germany
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Lean Right

A violent explosion destroyed several buildings in Utrecht in the Netherlands. Ruins cover the streets, there are injured. The cause, however, is still unclear.

·Dortmund, Germany
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Lean Right

A massive explosion took place on Thursday, 15 January 2026, in the centre of Utrecht, in the centre of the city, in the middle of the Netherlands, declaring a fire, a soldier with at least four injuries, announces to the authorities. It is possible that there are people caught under fire. The VIDEO Explosion is a powerful result of fire in the center of the city: “The Earth has collapsed”. The authorities are looking for survivors under fire fo…

Right

A heavy explosion struck the Dutch city of Utrecht on Thursday afternoon. Several buildings collapsed in the historic city centre. A fire broke out. At least four people were injured. According to the news agency ANP, a firefighter spoke on Thursday of a "gangant explosion". Television recordings showed smoke rising above the historic city centre, as well as debris scattered on the streets. The authorities called on the population to avoid the a…

·Vienna, Austria
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www.rtvutrecht.nl broke the news in on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
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