Residents of Veendam in the north-east of the Netherlands have been shocked by a third major fire in the centre of the small town in just over a week. It started in a shop building on Tuesday evening.

There were two blazes in the town on Monday last week. A fire fighter died in one of them. Members of the local fire service were given leave following the death and had only just come back on duty last night when the latest fire was reported. Once at the scene they managed to prevent the flames from spreading to adjacent shops. No one was injured, but the building was badly damaged.

Two sources of the latest fire have been identified, one at the back of the building and the other in a flat above the shop. Investigations are focusing on whether there is a link with the earlier incidents.

It has been confirmed meanwhile that last week’s fires were the result of arson and, on Monday, the police set up a temporary checkpoint in the centre of Veendam. Officers and civic guards will use it as a base for patrols over the coming nights.

More security cameras have also been installed in the town centre.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide