Menen, Belgium, 19 August (Brussles Morning Newspaper)Â A major Menen recycling fire at the Galloo waste-processing plant has sent thick smoke and a strong burning smell across parts of West and East Flanders, as emergency crews work through a large pile of electrical and electronic waste.
The blaze broke out at around 4am on Wednesday at Galloo’s facility near the French border. The scale of the incident triggered a major emergency response, with Belgian crews receiving assistance from firefighters from France.
Around 150 firefighters were deployed, according to regional broadcaster Focus-WTV.
Fire spreads through electronic waste at Galloo plant
The blaze took hold in an area containing discarded electrical and electronic equipment. Local reporting said the affected waste pile covered almost one hectare, leaving firefighters with a difficult operation.
Crews brought the main fire under control, but significant work remained. Firefighters had to separate and cool material within the waste pile to locate remaining hot spots and reduce the risk of the blaze flaring up again.
Galloo’s offices were protected from the flames, although windows were reportedly damaged by the intense heat. A crane near the burning waste was also lost.
Operations in the affected section of the site were halted while emergency services continued their work.
Strong burning smell reaches beyond Menen
The impact of the Menen recycling fire was felt far beyond the immediate area.
Smoke drifted eastwards, carrying a noticeable burning smell across communities in West Flanders and into East Flanders. Acting Menen mayor Kasper Vandecasteele said reports of smoke and odour nuisance had reached as far as Deinze and Ghent.
Residents in areas affected by the smoke were advised to keep windows and doors closed and switch off ventilation systems where necessary.
Belgium’s BE-Alert emergency warning system was used to provide public information, while motorway signs warned drivers about the smoke.
Officials said conditions could change as firefighters moved and opened sections of the waste pile during the extinguishing operation.
Battery suspected as possible cause
The precise cause of the blaze has not yet been formally established.
Initial indications suggest that a battery left inside discarded electrical equipment may have caught fire in an area used to collect smaller appliances.
Galloo managing director Jan Vandeputte highlighted the danger posed by batteries that remain inside discarded products such as electric bicycles and scooters.
“There are many people who take their scooter or bicycle to the recycling centre, without thinking about what can happen with such a battery,” Vandeputte told Focus-WTV.
The incident highlights a wider problem facing recycling facilities as rechargeable batteries become increasingly common in everyday consumer products.
Galloo faces lengthy clean-up operation
Galloo operates recycling facilities across Belgium and France and specialises in recovering metals and processing discarded materials, including electrical and electronic equipment.
Vandeputte said the company invests around €1.5 million annually in fire-prevention measures across its 46 locations, including cameras, water monitors and firefighting equipment.
For residents, however, the immediate concern remains the smoke travelling from the site and the disruption caused by the fire.
What happens next?
Firefighters are expected to remain at the Galloo facility while the affected waste is separated, cooled and checked for remaining hot spots.
Authorities will continue monitoring smoke and odour conditions while emergency operations continue.
The official cause of the Menen recycling fire remains subject to investigation. Residents who notice smoke or a strong burning smell should continue following instructions issued by local authorities and Belgium’s official emergency warning system.
