Bruges (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A fire broke out near ‘t Zand square in Bruges, near the Warmest Week. The fire started above the Luvida restaurant on Wulfhagestraat. Road closures have been put in place that include Geldmuntstraat and Noordzandstraat. Authorities ask drivers to avoid the area, no injuries reported yet, and fire brigades are working to keep the fire under control. Biekorf car park remains open but Naaldenstraat is inaccessible.
A major fire has broken out in the centre of Bruges this afternoon, as a thick column of black smoke billows over the city. The fire started above the Luvida restaurant on Wulfhagestraat, near ‘t Zand square, where thousands of people have gathered for the annual Warmest Week event.
Roads Closed, Zilverpand Car Park Inaccessible
Several streets are closed off to both vehicles and pedestrians following the fire. Geldmuntstraat and Noordzandstraat are fully closed off, as well as Moerstraat and Dweerstraat. The authorities have also decreed that the Zilverpand car park is not accessible at the moment. “We advise drivers not to drive into the city centre on that side to avoid inconvenience,”
Bruges police have advised people to allow emergency services to do their work, stressing that no injuries have been reported. “The fire brigade is on site. Please let the emergency services do their job. No one was injured.” a police spokesperson stated.
Biekorf Car Park Accessible, Naaldenstraat Blocked
The Biekorf car park is kept open for now, accessible via Ezelstraat and St-Jakobsstraat, while drivers cannot go from Naaldenstraat as a result of the road blocks. Emergency services are on site and continue to labor in an effort to extinguish the fire. The situation is ongoing, and officials are regularly checking on the area.
Fire at Bruges’ Warmest Week Mirrors 2019 Notre-Dame Cathedral Blaze
A recent fire which comes to mind is Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, which caught fire during the restoration work on 15 April 2019, during the Warmest Week at Bruges. The collapse of the iconic spire was caused by the blaze and much of the roof and the interior badly damaged.
Both events remind one of the vulnerability of community events and cultural monuments in the face of unexpected disasters. As the Warmest Week in Bruges focuses on raising funds for charitable causes through community efforts, the international response to the Notre-Dame fire was a collective will to protect cultural heritage and help restore it.
These events serve as poignant reminders of the fragile nature of historical sites and underscore the vital importance of community resilience in times of crisis.
