Volendam cafe fire trial opens

Volendam cafe fire trial opens
The trial of the owner of a Volendam cafe that burst into flames killing 14 youths and injuring almost 300 more on New Year's Eve two years ago started in the Haarlem Court on Monday. Jan Veerman, 56, his 26-year-old daughter, Laura, and the 35-year-old cafe manager, J. Veerman (no relation), are accused of contributing to the deaths and injuries and face a maximum of 21 months jail, an NOS news report said. They are not charged with intentionally causing the disaster. About 250 youths or more were partying at cafe De Hemel on 31 December 2000, much more than legally allowed. A short-lived, but intense blaze broke out shortly after midnight when a male youth lit a sparkler that set alight the Christmas decorations hanging from the ceiling. The decorations were not fire proof.

In the aftermath of the tragedy in the small coastal fishing village, it was revealed that cafe owner Veerman did not have a permit for the establishment. The Edam-Volendam Council had rejected his application in April 2000 because the cafe did not meet fire safety requirements. The council had ordered Veerman to improve the fire safety measures, such as constructing emergency exits and installing more fire hose reels, Dutch associated press ANP reported. Tragic television footage after the fire also showed metal bars in front of the cafe's windows. But Veerman did not heed to the council's demands and had merely submitted a planning permit application with the council and completed the installation of an emergency staircase on 21 December 2000. The court case is scheduled to last seven days and both defence lawyers and the prosecution are expected to call witnesses and expert testimony. A ruling will be handed down on 18 July.

Meanwhile, it was announced on Friday that the Volendam fire victims will sue Veerman and the Edam-Volendam council for damages resulting from the blaze. The victims lobby group, BSNV, and 214 victims claim that both Veerman and the council were responsible for the consequences resulting from the fire. Lawyers representing the victims launched an investigation into the fire in 2001 and the Haarlem court heard various testimonies last November. Veerman and former Edam-Volendam mayor, Frank IJsselmuiden, who resigned in March 2001 in response to the tragedy, were among those who gave testimony to the court. The civil procedure will mainly be carried out by correspondence and could take several years. If found liable, both Veerman and the municipal council may have to pay compensation, but victims lawyer John Beer could not confirm the amount of compensation that will be demanded because many victims are still receiving medical treatment.

The BSNV tried in vain to come to an out-of-court settlement with Veerman. City councillor H. Scouten regretted the failure to reach an agreement, admitting that the legal battle for compensation could now take several years. Besides the ongoing civil and criminal cases, Veerman is also battling with the council over the reopening of the Wir War entertainment complex, in which cafe De Hemel was located, an NOS news report said. The council is refusing to approve a permit application for the bar and the building remains closed. Out of respect for the New Year's Eve victims, the Edam-Volendam council previously resolved to prevent entertainment venues re-opening in the same building where the fire broke out.