Severe thunderstorms and lightning trigger fires and damage across the Netherlands and Belgium

A series of intense thunderstorms swept the Netherlands and parts of Belgium on the night of 27‑28 June 2026, prompting code orange alerts for heavy rain, hail, strong winds and lightning. Temperatures had previously surged to 35‑38 °C, creating an unstable atmosphere that produced powerful convective storms.

Lightning strikes ignited multiple fires, including a roof blaze in Wassenaar, a barn fire in Toornwerd, another barn fire in Middelstum, and a blaze in a shed in Reeuwijk. Emergency services responded to numerous incidents of tree fall, water‑logging of streets, and gas leaks, as well as to farm and residential fires that caused significant property damage but no reported fatalities.

The KNMI and KMI issued code orange warnings and later downgraded to code yellow while heat warnings remained in force. Forecasts warned that the heat wave would continue to fuel further thunderstorm activity over the coming weekend.