# Fire at Delft café De Ruif brought under control

> Ten homes were evacuated in Delft's historic centre on Thursday, and residents cannot yet return while the fire brigade checks for carbon monoxide.

Society · published 2026-10-22 05:28 · updated 2026-10-22 06:31 · https://nlnow.nl/a/large-fire-breaks-out-in-delft-city-centre/

The fire brigade brought a very large fire at café De Ruif on the Kerkstraat under control around 8.00am on Thursday, after about two hours of firefighting. The fire was reported around 6.15am.

Ten homes were evacuated. Residents cannot return for now because the fire brigade is checking the homes for carbon monoxide. "As far as is known, there are no injuries," a fire brigade spokesperson said.

The café stands right next to the Nieuwe Kerk, where members of the royal family are traditionally buried. The church was not in danger.

Flames shot from the back of the café, and heavy smoke filled the neighbouring Microtheater. Firefighters checked whether the fire had spread to other buildings. Because space was limited, they had to fight it from the other side of the canal. Final checks are under way in the affected buildings.

The fire may have started on the outdoor terrace and spread inside.

## Background

- **Nieuwe Kerk**: The Nieuwe Kerk ("New Church") is a Gothic church on the Markt square in Delft, in the Netherlands. It is the burial place of members of the Dutch royal House of Orange-Nassau, including William of Orange, and it is also a site where royal funerals and memorial services are held. The church is a well-known landmark and is visited by tourists as well as by people interested in Dutch history.

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