Two people and three dogs have been killed in a fire at a private home in the Overijssel village of Vroomshoop.

The fire broke out shortly after 8pm on the Meidoornlaan and police had managed to put it out some two hours later. Neighbouring homes were also damaged and three families will need temporary accommodation for a time, broadcaster NOS reported.

Police are investigating the cause of the blaze.

Police are also investigating an explosion at a home in woods between Heijen and Afferden in the north of Limburg.

The home was completely destroyed in the blast but police say the owner was elsewhere at the time and no one appears to have been injured.

The house, close to the German border, is extremely isolated and can only be reached by a path through the woods, broadcaster NOS said.