Around 3,000 residents of the village of Westrozebeke in West Flanders have been urged to evacuate their homes due to an ongoing industrial fire, the mayor of Staden told Belga.
The fire broke out at the Horafrost frozen vegetable company, generating significant smoke. “Leave the area as quickly as possible,” advised the commune’s website. “The smoke is not acutely toxic, but prolonged exposure can have health effects.”
The commune has offered a space at the Staden cultural centre for those unable to find shelter with family or friends. Residents of a care home are among those being evacuated.
The fire erupted in a company warehouse on Voermanstraat at around 00:30 on Friday night. It spread rapidly, engulfing other buildings on the site, with smoke visible for several kilometres.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Fire brigades from the Midwest and Westhoek regions have been deployed.
