De Vector

Fire in Amsterdam car park forces residents from homes

At least 55 homes have been evacuated; police have arrested a suspect.

A major fire in an underground car park in Amsterdam Nieuw-West led to the evacuation of at least 55 homes in the early hours of Friday. Police have arrested a man on suspicion of arson; it is still unclear when residents can return.

The fire broke out at around 02:45 in an underground car park on Theodoor van Hoytemastraat. The fire produced large amounts of smoke, forcing residents of the homes above to leave. They were given accommodation in a nearby hotel. The fire brigade had the blaze under control by around 05:15, NOS reports, citing information from the emergency services. [NOS](https://nos.nl/artikel/2635161-grote-brand-in-parkeergarage-in-amsterdam-nieuw-west-26-jarige-man-opgepakt)

Police arrested a suspect in the early morning. A police statement published by Amsterdams Dagblad says the fire started at a car and that five cars caught fire. Detectives are investigating what happened. The arrest does not mean that arson has already been proven. No court has ruled on the suspect's guilt. [Police statement via Amsterdams Dagblad](https://www.amsterdamsdagblad.nl/112-amsterdam/verdachte-van-autobrand-in-garage-theodoor-van-hoytemastraat-aangehouden)

For residents, the point at which the fire was brought under control is not the same as the point at which they can safely return home. The damage will first be examined. That inspection will determine whether the homes can be accessed again. The official and public reports consulted do not yet give a fixed time when all affected households can return. The final extent of the damage is also unknown.

The fire brigade deployed several vehicles and a firefighting robot to tackle the blaze. According to 112 Nederland, the robot allowed firefighters to tackle the fire remotely because of conditions in the car park. The large amounts of smoke were a major reason for evacuating the homes. Ambulance crews examined several residents. Initial reports about their condition were still provisional and were supplemented during the morning. [112 Nederland](https://112nederland.nl/2026/10/16/zeer-grote-brand-in-parkeergarage-55-woningen-ontruimd/)

The medical information requires a careful distinction. NOS reported that no one had been taken to hospital by ambulance. The published police statement also says that one person made their own way to hospital after inhaling smoke. These statements are not mutually exclusive. A general conclusion that no one needed hospital care would therefore go too far. No further medical details have been reported.

The effects extend beyond the car park and the evacuated homes. According to NOS, electricity network operator Liander switched off the building's electricity supply for safety reasons. This also left some surrounding homes and businesses without power. In its statement on Friday, the municipality warned about the smoke and directed residents to Veiligheidsregio Amsterdam-Amstelland for up-to-date information. It is not yet clear how long the interruption will last for all affected addresses. [Municipality of Amsterdam](https://www.amsterdam.nl/stadsdelen/nieuw-west/nieuws/brand-theodoor-hoytemastraat/)

Police are seeking witnesses and camera footage that could help the investigation. For now, the precise circumstances and any possible motive remain under investigation. That uncertainty is separate from the accommodation arrangements and technical inspections: residents' first concern is when the complex will be declared safe to enter. The available sources do not yet allow a definitive timetable to be given.

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