Two killed by fireworks and historic church burns in Dutch New Year violence

Police reported 'unprecedented' unrest

Petrol bombs were hurled at authorities as they attempted to bring the chaos under control.

A 17-year-old boy and a 38-year-old man died in separate firework incidents, while three other people were also left seriously injured.

Authorities say the investigation into the teenager’s death is ongoing, though no details have yet been released.

Nine Kooiman, head of the Dutch Police Union, said New Year’s Eve saw “an unprecedented level of violence against police and emergency services.”

Officials were forced to put out a rare nationwide mobile phone alert urging people to only call emergency services in the case of a life-threatening emergency.

In Amsterdam, the night's chaos culminated in a towering inferno at the famous church in the early hours of the first.

The church, the Vondelkerk, is a prominent landmark overlooking one of the city's most popular parks.

Flames tore through the iconic church, built in 1880, collapsing its 164-foot tower and severely damaging the roof.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, though local media reported it was suspected to have been sparked by fireworks.

Several nearby homes had to be evacuated as the blaze sent showers of cinders onto surrounding properties.

Hospitals nationwide also reported a surge in fireworks-related injuries.

It had previously been announced that it would be the last year before a ban on unofficial fireworks would take place, leading to the Dutch buying them in massive quantities.