Siemen Mol and Carolien Hookman must leave their mobile home in Lambertschaag after the municipality of Medemblik declared the accommodation illegal. They had lived on the site for years, where a major fire more than a month ago led to the discovery of a drug laboratory. The municipality said they must vacate the home before 22 December or face periodic penalty payments. They have found another home in Medemblik and accept the decision, although Mol criticised the municipality’s handling of the case.

The fire caused material damage and health complaints among local residents, and the ditch around the site still needs to be cleaned. That work was expected to cost several hundred thousand euros, and had resumed after an earlier stoppage. Mol said he had suffered up to €70,000 in damage to a Volkswagen Scirocco and tools kept in a warehouse on the site, which he said were uninsured. Other people who rented or bought warehouses there also suffered damage.