Fire broke out in the historic centre of Willemstad, Curaçao, on Wednesday night. Two vacant retail properties in Heerenstraat, Punda burned out. The blaze that started in a ceiling was so intense that brigades from the Steenrijk, Mundo Nobo and Rio Canario fire stations had to be dispatched. They could not risk entering the old building or get on the roof due to fear of collapse and the floor inside indeed gave way later. Tugboats with waterspouts of Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) in the nearby harbour were therefore used to help extinguish the flames from above. Adjacent Freeport Jewellers also suffered damage. There were no reports of personal injuries.
