112 Zoetermeer: Blaze Rips Through Attic on Weidedreef, Another Fire on Pernisstraat

The past few days have been quiet in Zoetermeer, but you couldn't say the same for our emergency services. Zoetermeer emergency crews had to race out again overnight for a fierce, well-alight attic fire, this time on Weidedreef. And that wasn't their only job: earlier this week, a fire broke out on Pernisstraat. Time to take a look at the situation.

Attic Fire Well Alight on Weidedreef

Around 3:00 am this morning, things went down on Weidedreef. Neighbours were woken with a start by loud cracking sounds and quickly saw flames leaping from the roof. Fire crews were on the scene fast and upgraded it to a medium-sized building fire. Initial reports indicate the attic was completely gutted and the home has suffered significant damage. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the family had to be taken in by neighbours.

Earlier This Week: Fire on Pernisstraat

Less than 48 hours prior, firefighters were called out to Pernisstraat. Around dinner time, a fire started in a utility room, which then spread to the kitchen. The flames were brought under control quickly, but there was considerable smoke damage. Again, no injuries were reported, but one family couldn't return home for a while. Neighbours were quick to offer coffee to those affected – it takes a village, hey.

112 Spotter Zoetermeer: The Eyes and Ears of the City

If you want to stay up-to-date with incidents in Zoetermeer these days, you can't go past 112 Spotter Zoetermeer. These local legends are often on the scene faster than the press, sharing live images and updates on social media. They were right on top of the Weidedreef fire too. Their work is appreciated by many locals, even if it's a bit of a shock to see your own street going up in flames online.

• Weidedreef Fire: Attic well alight, home severely damaged.
• Pernisstraat Fire: Kitchen fire, extensive smoke damage.
• 112 Spotter Zoetermeer: First to share footage of both incidents.

Business Hit Hard Too: Banknote Machine Destroyed

The fire on Pernisstraat also damaged a small local supermarket. The owner said his expensive Safescan 2865-S banknote counter was rendered useless by the smoke. "That machine was only a few months old," he sighed. "Now I'll have to buy another one, but first things first, I'll see what the insurance says." It's one of the many human stories behind the flames that often go untold.

Over the coming days, investigators and insurance assessors will be looking into the causes of both fires. For now, it's a case of staying alert in Zoetermeer. Keep an eye on your smoke alarms and be aware of anything suspicious. And don't forget: without the work of our Zoetermeer emergency crews and the fire brigade, the damage would have been a whole lot worse.