A house fire in Enkhuizen left the home of Richard and Ramona van Ark uninhabitable. The family escaped safely but had little more than the clothes they were wearing, along with a wallet and a mobile phone. Neighboring homes were also damaged, and their occupants had to leave. The Van Ark family is temporarily staying at a holiday park while dealing with the damage and insurance arrangements.

Residents of Enkhuizen have organized shelter, clothing and other supplies, while people have offered money and services, including a new floor. Twelve-year-old Rosa Bielsma started an online collection that had raised nearly €200 after one day. The family’s piano was destroyed, and piano teacher Bo de Myttenaere is considering a crowdfunding campaign and possibly a benefit concert to help provide a replacement. Richard and Ramona van Ark, who have run the Kalyani Foundation for work supporting children in Sri Lanka for 15 years, said they were grateful for the support.