The top section of the Hoogersmilde radio and TV broadcasting tower in the east of the Netherlands has collapsed following a fire.

No one was injured in the incident; fire fighters working to put out the rapidly spreading fire had withdrawn from the tower shortly before the collapse. Police had already cordoned off the area around the burning tower.

The cause of the fire that raged around 100 metres above ground is unknown. The power supply to the tower was cut off soon after the blaze broke out, disrupting radio and TV broadcasts to parts of the Netherlands.

Fire also broke out at a broadcasting tower in the central town of Lopik last night. As yet no connection between the two blazes has been established.

Before the collapse, the 300m tower was one of the tallest in the Netherlands.

(dd/ae)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide