Emergency responders evacuated approximately 60 apartments at a complex on Scheerling in Kampen overnight on Friday, July 31, 2026, after a bicycle battery caught fire in a basement storage unit.
The fire generated dense smoke throughout the building, prompting authorities to scale the response up to a very large fire and declare a GRIP 1 incident level to coordinate operations.
Firefighters from Kampen, IJsselmuiden, Ens, Oldebroek, Wezep, and Zwolle responded to assist with extinguishing the blaze, evacuating residents, and ventilating the complex.
Evacuation and Shelter
First responders completed the evacuation after forcing open doors on several units to ensure no residents remained inside.
Displaced occupants were temporarily sheltered at the adjacent De Vijverhof care center while crews conducted overhaul and safety checks.
Paramedics evaluated one resident and two firefighters at the scene for potential smoke inhalation, though none required hospital transportation.
Police and fire officials have launched an investigation to determine how the bicycle battery ignited.
