A warehouse fire that broke out on Friday afternoon in Merksem, Antwerp, remains unextinguished as of Saturday morning, with firefighting efforts expected to continue throughout the day.
The fire, which started at around 16:45, caused significant smoke development, leading to the evacuation of around 30 homes. Firefighters responded swiftly with 20 teams and used water from the Albert Canal to combat the blaze. By 18:15, the fire was brought under control, but crews anticipated needing several more hours to completely extinguish it.
As of Saturday, four firefighting teams remain on-site. “There are still hotspots in hard-to-reach areas,” said Eline de Jong from Brandweer Zone Antwerpen. “We’ve brought in a crane to remove parts of the building, allowing us to access those areas. These operations are likely to take all day.”
Residents evacuated from homes close to the warehouse are being allowed to retrieve essential items under supervision. “Those living a bit further from the site can return home once fire brigade measurements confirm it’s safe,” said police spokesperson Sven Lommaert. “Some residents have already begun returning in a gradual manner.”
