World · Europe · 6 hrs ago
Three arrested after fires and unrest in Amsterdam’s Floradorp
Three people were arrested after unrest in Floradorp, a neighbourhood in Amsterdam-Noord, on Wednesday evening.
A fire was set in the street, and police said stones and fireworks were thrown at firefighters and other emergency workers.
Police and firefighters faced resistance as they responded, and riot police were deployed; calm later returned.
The unrest followed a letter from Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema rejecting residents’ plan for a smaller New Year’s bonfire in an open container.
Fire officials said an open fire in a residential area was too dangerous, and the mayor accepted their advice.
Floradorp had also seen unrest after its traditional bonfire was banned at the end of last year over safety concerns; no further action was reported.
Three people were arrested after unrest and fires in Amsterdam’s Floradorp district on Wednesday evening.
Police and firefighters faced resistance while responding to a street fire, and stones and fireworks were thrown at emergency workers, NOS reported.
AD said nobody was injured.
The unrest was reportedly linked to a letter from Mayor Femke Halsema rejecting residents’ alternative plan for a New Year’s Eve bonfire.
The outlets give different names for the street where the fire started: Sneeuwbalstraat (NOS) and Sneeuwbalweg (AD).
- Who
- Three people were arrested; two were minors, according to NOS.
- What
- Unrest followed a street fire, and emergency workers faced resistance.
- When
- Wednesday evening, 14 October 2026.
- Where
- Floradorp, Amsterdam-Noord. The outlets name the street as Sneeuwbalstraat and Sneeuwbalweg, respectively.
- Why
- The unrest was reportedly linked to the mayor’s rejection of residents’ alternative plan for a New Year’s Eve bonfire.
Floradorp residents seeking an alternative bonfire plan
Fire brigade and mayor rejecting the plan
Bonfire proposal
Floradorp residents seeking an alternative bonfire plan
Residents wanted a smaller fire in an open container for New Year’s Eve.
Fire brigade and mayor rejecting the plan
The fire brigade said an open fire in a residential area was too dangerous, and the mayor followed its advice.
Floradorp residents received a letter from Mayor Halsema rejecting their alternative bonfire plan.
A street fire was lit in Floradorp, and unrest followed when firefighters arrived.
Police and the Mobile Unit responded; three people were arrested for vandalism.
- Arrests
- 3 people; 2 were minors, according to NOS
- Location
- Floradorp, Amsterdam-Noord
- Street name
- Sneeuwbalstraat (NOS); Sneeuwbalweg (AD)
- Alternative plan
- A smaller bonfire in an open container
- Injuries
- AD reported that nobody was injured
3 sources
What people are saying
When residents turned against them, they had to leave for their own safety