UTRECHT, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion on a residential street in the center of the Dutch city of Utrecht injured at least four people Thursday, an emergency services official said. The cause of the blast was not immediately known.
The explosion, which caused a fire and widespread damage, sent people running into nearby shopping streets. Firefighters tried to douse the flames but were not immediately able to enter damaged homes because of fears of structural damage.
Emergency services spokesman Sjaak Haasnoot said the four people injured were taken to a hospital. The extent of their injuries was not known. It was unclear if there were any casualties.
“It is very difficult at the moment to say how many victims are under the rubble," Haasnoot said. “The fire department cannot enter the building because it is still unstable.”
Firefighters said they were investigating how they could safely comb through the rubble of the shattered buildings to establish if any people are trapped. Residents whose homes were damaged were being accommodated in a nearby hotel.
Police were investigating, Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma told reporters.
“This explosion has had a huge impact on the heart of our city. Everyone is deeply shocked, especially those in the immediate vicinity,” Dijksma said.
Firefighters extinguish the fire at the scene of an explosion in Utrecht, Netherlands, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahmad Seir)
Firefighters extinguish the fire at the scene of an explosion in Utrecht, Netherlands, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahmad Seir)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Collin Graf and Pavol Regenda each had a goal and an assist and the San Jose Sharks used a three-goal second period to top the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Thursday night.
Zack Ostapchuk also scored, tying the game with the first of the Sharks' three goals in a span of 2:46. Alex Nedeljkovic made 21 saves for San Jose, which has won four of five.
Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard scored for the Capitals, Alex Ovechkin had an assist and Logan Thompson made 23 saves.
Strome put the Capitals up 1-0 at 10:58 of the second period, but the Sharks took over from there.
Ostapchuk tied it at 1 at 13:27 and Graf gave the Sharks the lead at 14:53 when he tipped in a pass from Regenda. San Jose went up 3-1 on Regenda's goal at 16:13.
Leonard made it a one-goal game at 9:11 of the third when beat Nedeljkovic.
Sharks: Play at Detroit on Friday night.
Capitals: Host Florida on Saturday night.
—
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
San Jose Sharks center Zack Ostapchuk, right, celebrates his goal with San Jose Sharks defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals center Hendrix Lapierre (29) collides with San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (33) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
San Jose Sharks goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (33) stops the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
San Jose Sharks right wing Collin Graf (51) celebrates his goal with left wing Pavol Regenda (84) and others during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
