Huge fire breaks out at emergency shelter housing asylum seekers in Netherlands

Hundreds of anti-migrant protestors were seen outside the disused facility, lighting fireworks and chanting.

Loosdrecht, which has a population of just over 8,600 people, has seen multiple protests against the use of the old town hall in recent weeks.

There was no announcement as to when the migrants would arrive, due to the violent nature the protests in the weeks leading up to today.

Hundreds of people have taken to the streets of Loosdrecht, including two MPs, resulting in stones being thrown at officers.

At least 13 neighbours and business owners had objected to the 110 foreigners coming to the waterside town.

However, a judge ruled housing the asylum seekers in humane conditions outweighed the interests of locals.

The protests in late April did affect some change as the number being housed dropped from 110 to 70.

The current plan will see migrants housed in the old town hall until November 1 at the latest.

Riot police were called to keep control of the protestors.

Dutch MP, Gidi Markuszower, attended the protests in April and said refugees should "go back to their own country".

Social media videos show emergency services attempting to extinguish the fire outside the hall today.

But the fire department was blocked by protesters.

Eventually, they were able to get through and the blaze was extinguished.

Officials from the Dutch security service, AIVD, have announced they are investigating the anti-refugee protests.

Minister Van den Brink for Asylum and Migration made the announcement during a debate in the House of Representatives earlier today.

Mr Van de Bink said they would be looking at ""what patterns exist and what lies behind them".

The Mayor of Loosdrecht, Mayor Verheijen, issued an emergency order due to "serious disturbances of public order in front of the town hall in connection with the temporary emergency shelter provided by the COA in Loosdrecht".

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