World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Fire destroys shed and silo on Vlietweg in Leiden
A large fire destroyed a shed and silo on Vlietweg in Leiden overnight from Friday into Saturday.
The fire is thought to have started in the silo before spreading to the shed, and at least four cars also burned.
Some nearby homes were evacuated as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
The fire was under control by about 6:42 a.m., though crews were expected to spend several more hours extinguishing it.
Possible asbestos from the fire prompted a safety procedure, but checks found no dangerous concentrations and authorities said residents faced no established danger.
The road remains closed, and debris in the nearby Vliet canal is preventing boats from passing.
How long the road closure will last is not known.
A large fire destroyed a shed and silo on Vlietweg in Leiden during the night from Friday to Saturday.
The fire also destroyed at least four cars and caused the buildings to collapse.
Several nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.
The road was closed because asbestos may have been released, and debris fell into the Vliet canal.
The safety region said no dangerous concentrations were measured and no danger to residents was identified.
- Who
- The fire service and other emergency services responded; nearby residents were affected.
- What
- A fire destroyed a shed and silo and damaged at least four cars.
- When
- During the night from Friday to Saturday, October 17, 2026.
- Where
- Vlietweg in Leiden, the Netherlands.
- Why
- The cause is not stated. The fire is believed to have started in the silo and spread to the shed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A resident woke to loud bangs, saw the fire and called emergency services.
The fire service arrived and scaled up its response.
GRIP 1 was declared to coordinate emergency services.
The regional safety authority reported that the fire was under control.
The collapsed buildings, debris in the canal and road closure were visible.
- Location
- Vlietweg, Leiden
- Date
- October 17, 2026
- Buildings destroyed
- An old shed and a silo
- Vehicles burned
- At least four cars
- Emergency coordination
- GRIP 1 declared at 4:38 a.m.
- Fire under control
- Around 6:42 a.m.
3 sources
What people are saying
I saw flames twenty metres high.
I woke up in the night to a crackling sound.
I think they were lucky with the rain, but there isn't much left of the site.