[originaltext] In the Dutch fishing port of Volendam near Amsterdam, a fire a

In the Dutch fishing port of Volendam near Amsterdam, a fire at a New Year celebration killed at least 8 people and injured 200 others. Douglas Bnchshian reports it happened at a holiday dancing party:
   Authorities say the blaze started shortly after midnight as about 700 people were welcoming in the New Year. Young party-goers jumped from windows to flee billowing clouds of smoke that instantly engulfed the dance ball on the top floor of the building. A Dutch television correspondent said unconscious victims were pulled out of windows by their hair. Hospital officials say most of the victims were between 17 and 30 years old. One investigator was quoted as saying he expected the death toll to double or triple. Dozens of people have been hospitalized, and medical authorities say half are in critical condition suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. Police are investigating reports that the fire originated in a set of Christmas decorations and that ’all but one of the emergency exits had been blocked.