Anderlecht (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A fire at a Brussels waste plant in Anderlecht burned 50 m² of rubbish, disrupting Ghent-Brussels rail traffic. Firefighters, aided by a crane, are still dousing hotspots.
As VRT News reported, a fire broke out on Thursday, Aug 7, 2025, at a waste plant in Anderlecht, a part of Brussels. A large pile of rubbish, about 50 square meters in size, caught fire. Smoke was seen rising into the sky from far away.
The Brussels fire service quickly sent a fire engine, a ladder truck, and a water tanker to the scene. The fire is now under control. Firefighters are still working to put out the remaining flames.
What caused the Anderlecht waste fire that disrupted rail traffic?
Fire service spokesperson Walter Derieuw said the flames are no longer spreading, but it will take hours to finish the job. A crane is being used to take apart the burning waste so crews can reach all the spots. The cause of the fire is not yet known. Authorities will launch an investigation once the area is safe.
Train services from Ghent to Brussels are being delayed due to a fire near the railway line in Anderlecht. Officials mentioned this is causing delays and changes to the usual schedule. Trains from Brussels to Ghent are not affected. Railway staff are watching the situation closely.
The Brussels fire department said the fire is under control, but thick smoke is still causing problems. Spokesperson Walter Derieuw said train traffic will stay disrupted because the smoke is too heavy near the tracks. It is not safe for trains to pass while the smoke is in the air.
The same incident happened in Anderlecht in 2024. A fire broke out on 29 August around 6:50 p.m. in a carpentry workshop surrounded by homes. The fire spread quickly due to the wood and varnish inside. Firefighters sent 3 engines and 3 ladder trucks to control the flames. No injuries were reported. The workshop is badly damaged and cannot be used. Electricity was cut off.
