The fire started when fire fighters proceeded to get rid of a beehive that was located on the premises. When the situation unexpectedly got out of hand the fire fighters had to switch from fighting bees to taking on the flames which spread rapidly. Cars that were located next to the cemetery were removed as a precaution. When the fire broke out inmates were busy cutting down treees and removing bushes in the cemetery. The fire fighters eventually managed to get the fire under control. The damage that was caused by the fire has not been assessed yet. Nieuwe Oranjetuin is on the World Heritage List of the UNESCO because there are many old graves and monuments in the cemetery.