Schoten (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Heavy black smoke has appeared on Brechtsebaan in Schoten, following a fire that began at around 5:45 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Residents in the Bloemendaal district are requested to close windows and doors and observe official safety recommendations.
An industrial building at Brechtsebaan in Schoten had caught fire, which started in the early hours of Saturday morning, February 8, 2025, at about 5:45 AM. Firefighters had already received the alarm call before arriving to see that the fire was coming out from the roof. Due to its spread rate, they called other fire stations to stop the fire.
According to officials, no one was reported injured. Fire fighters are still working at the scene to put out the fire. The cause of the fire is not known yet. An investigation will likely take place once the fire is under control.
How does the Schoten fire affect residents?
The fire has created a big thick black smoke. Emergency services have warned residents in the Bloemendaal area to keep their windows and doors closed. They mentioned that they should also turn off ventilation systems to avoid breathing in smoke.
Officials mentioned that smoke can cause breathing problems, especially for children, older people, and those with health issues. Because the fire is so large, authorities watch the air quality closely. They advise everyone to stay indoors if they can.
On Saturday morning February 8, 2025, the Schoten municipality activated the BE-alert system. This system sends out warnings to keep residents updated about the fire. Local authorities are asking everyone to stay informed through official sources. They also want people to follow safety advice.
The firefighters continue to fight to put out the flames, though it is uncertain how long that will take. The local authority has also communicated that until the flames are brought under control, the residents must be careful and avoid the area. It is important to follow safety measures to stay safe. They mentioned that more updates will be shared as emergency teams get the situation under control.
