Surroundings explosion

An explosion and subsequent fire destroyed an apartment in Zaandam overnight. The blast blew off the entire rear facade of the apartment, Veiligheidsregio Zaanstreek-Waterland reported. No one was inside at the time.
The Veiligheidsregio, the security office that covers the region's emergency services, reported at around 1:52 a.m. that the fire brigade had responded to a fire at an apartment building on Hof van Zeanden.
Emergency services evacuated the surrounding apartments as a precaution. Firefighters quickly got the blaze under control and extinguished it.
Heijermansstraat behind the apartment complex was littered with glass and debris from the facade falling off the apartment. The police cordoned off part of the street for cleanup.
The Veiligheidsregio organized accommodation for residents who could not return to their homes overnight.
The cause of the explosion is unknown. The police are investigating.