Lokeren (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Fire at Condebo waste facility in Lokeren spreads rapidly, posing environmental risks, firefighters battle the blaze, and investigate potential causes related to stored materials.
On 8th September Sunday afternoon, workers at a local company noticed a fire starting at Condebo on Waaslandlaan in Lokeren, with smoke rising from the warehouses. Condebo processes waste and rents out containers, making them vulnerable to fire due to the materials stored there. The fire spread quickly, affecting two warehouses one with residual waste and the other with wood waste, creating thick smoke visible from afar. Firefighters responded quickly but putting out the fire was challenging because of the nature of the waste involved.
What challenges do waste processing facilities face in preventing and extinguishing fires?
Authorities were worried about possible environmental problems, like toxic smoke and water pollution from fighting the fire. Residents were told to keep their windows and doors closed for safety. Emergency services worked hard to control the fire and stop it from spreading to other areas or nearby properties. The cause of the fire is being investigated, but early signs suggest it was due to the highly flammable waste stored there. This incident showed the risks of waste processing facilities and the need for strong fire safety measures.
A fire broke out in a warehouse where leftover waste is kept, and the fire department thinks it might have started by itself. It has been said that one reason could be that sunlight hits a piece of glass in the waste, concentrating heat on nearby materials like paper or plastic, which can easily catch fire. This is more likely when the weather is sunny and warm since high temperatures can increase the chances of a fire. The mix of shiny surfaces and dry materials can lead to a fire starting without any flames. According to authorities, another possible cause is the presence of flammable items, like chemicals or aerosol cans, in the waste. These can ignite from heat or pressure, even without direct flames. Warm weather can make this risk worse because it can heat the waste pile, making it easier to catch fire. Once a fire starts in a place full of waste, it can spread quickly because many things can burn, making it tough for firefighters to control.
Firefighters from the East came together to fight a big fire in a large pile of waste, called a “waste mountain.” They used tankers to bring water and worked for many hours to put it out. They mentioned that it was challenging because the waste was packed tightly, so they had to use bulldozers to pull it apart. This helped them spray water on hidden flames and cool everything down to make sure the fire didn’t start again.
