Terneuzen apartment fire leaves one dead and ten homes uninhabitable

A fatal apartment fire occurred on Saturday night at a residential complex on Diepenbrockstraat in Terneuzen. A 50-year-old local man died in the blaze; despite prolonged resuscitation efforts by emergency responders, he could not be saved.

The fire, which broke out around 10:25 PM, originated in a second-floor apartment. Emergency services responded with multiple vehicles, including a high-reach platform and a trauma helicopter. While the fire was brought under control by approximately 10:50 PM, the incident left ten apartments uninhabitable: the unit where the fire started and nine others.

As a precaution, residents of the approximately 70-unit building were evacuated, with dozens being sheltered at the De Vliegende Vaart sports center. Although carbon monoxide checks showed no elevated levels, allowing most residents to return home, six people were relocated to a hotel and three others are staying with friends or family. Mayor Franc Weerwind visited the site to support those affected. The police are currently investigating the cause of the fire, and no arrests have been made.