A fire has broken out at an emergency centre for asylum seekers in the Netherlands after protestors reportedly hurled fireworks. Video footage posted online on X shows a blaze raging at an asylum seekers' centre in Loosdrecht.

Journalist Owen O'Brien posted: "BREAKING: Fire started at #AZC in Loosdrecht by sparklers. About to spread to the building. No fire department in the area yet. Police holding urgent consultations but not intervening yet."

According to local media, 200 people had descended on Loosdrecht town hall to protest against plans to open a temporary refugee centre.

The small village near Hilversum has been at the centre of anti-refugee protests in recent days, many of which have turned violent.

The first refugees are now due to arrive next week and their number has been cut from 110 to 70 following the protests.

Mr O’Brien, who was in attendance at the demonstration on Tuesday evening, claimed that fire fighters had been held back as they attempted to respond to the incident.

He said: “Fire brigade is being held back here in #Loosdrecht and cannot extinguish the fire. Next to the building entrance now a large tree is on fire. It is a major chaos.”

Video from the scene later showed firefighters gaining access to the building and the fire brought under control.

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