Watch: Huge fire rips through historic Amsterdam church

The blaze was thought to have started just after midnight and was swiftly declared a major fire

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationWatch DocumentariesTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureWatch DocumentariesFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsWatch DocumentariesArts in MotionTravelWatch DocumentariesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthWatch DocumentariesNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoWatch DocumentariesBBC MaestroLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveWatch: Historic Amsterdam church engulfed by fire on New Year's EveResidents in Amsterdam were evacuated from their homes after a huge fire ripped through the historic Vondelkerk church in the city on Thursday morning.

Local media reports it is suspected that the structure, which dates back to 1880 and is a popular tourist attraction, was likely hit by fireworks.

Footage shows flames rapidly spreading through the building and firefighters working to put out the blaze.

The church was designed by one of Holland's most renowned architects, Pierre Cuypers, who was also responsible for the Rijksmuseum and the Central Station in Amsterdam.

The church was most recently used as a venue for concerts and other events.