Eindhoven venue Stroomhuis shuttered following fire

Beloved Eindhoven-based cultural hub Stroomhuis has been shuttered following a blaze last week (October 17).

According to Dutch publication Omroep Brabant, the fire started at 4:AM in the early hours of Thursday morning, before spreading to the building’s wooden roof and eventually taking it down completely.

Stroomhuis announced the news on Instagram on Thursday, first in a post reading: “1 woord… Fuck," then following up in another post explaining what had happened:

“On Thursday morning October 17, Rosa and Rosalie were woken up by the fire, less than an hour after the last staff had left last night’s show. We are so grateful that nobody got hurt," the post reads.

"All of the residents (including the cat) are mostly just shocked. Our hearts are broken to see every piece of creativity and community that we poured into this place over the last 25 years, turned into ashes.”

A former squat, Stroomhuis was converted into an art collective and music space in 2001. It hosted several artists in residence, as well as providing a space for workshops, live music shows and exhibitions.

A hub for creativity, the venue was a key part of Eindhoven’s underground music and art scene.

The Instagram post continues: “Many of our group have been severely impacted in their livelihood and housing. Literally decades worth of creative work are gone. Some of us lost everything we have made over the last 5, 10, and even 35 years."

“In addition, there are countless instruments and equipment used by musicians and artists from all over the city, which are stored in the Stroomhuis. Stroomhuis has been the heart of our community for so many people in Eindhoven and far beyond.”

The cause of the fire is still unknown, according to Stroomhuis.

A fundraiser has been launched to raise money for the venue and those affected by the fire. At present time (October 18), it has already raised €49,770 out of a €250,000 target.

Omroep Brabant reports that Mohr Music Productions (a Copenhagen-based music composer and engineer) has offered to donate a complete soundsystem once Stroomhuis finds a new location.

Volunteers have also been mobilising to organise their own fundraisers and initiatives says the venue, adding that it will collate a list of "non-financial needs", should people want to help in other ways.

On the same day as the fire, the cultural centre announced that an event scheduled to be held this Saturday (October 19), would still go ahead, but take place at a new venue.

“CURRENT 3 is still happening. New location will be Burgers, Hertogstraat 2,” the post states.

UK band Flip Top Head are set to perform, a self-proclaimed “orchestral cult rock” group.

Find out more and donate to the fundraiser for Stroomhuis here

Meena Sears is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Instagram