This afternoon, a fire broke out in an old warehouse on Ten Houtedreef in Kortrijk. Emergency services arrived in large numbers and established a safety perimeter. Traffic in the area was diverted. The fire is now completely under control, but the fire brigade will remain present throughout the night to monitor the site. Tomorrow at 10 AM, the involved emergency services and the mayor will re-evaluate the situation.
During the initial firefighting efforts, two firefighters sustained minor injuries. No other injuries were reported. Although the fire is under control, risks of flare-ups remain. The fire brigade will therefore remain on post all night. Simultaneously, smoke measurements are being taken to ensure safety in the surrounding area.
This evening, emergency services informed residents of 12 homes that they would not be able to stay at home tonight. This concerns houses in the immediate vicinity of the warehouse (Ten Houte, Ten Houtedreef, and 't Hoge). The measure is due to persistent smoke and odor nuisance and the risk of new flare-ups. Residents who cannot stay with family or friends will be offered a solution by the city. A BE-Alert was also sent to the wider area towards Bellegem, advising residents to keep windows and doors closed and to switch off ventilation or air conditioning systems.
Tomorrow at 10 AM, the mayor and all involved emergency services will meet again to assess the situation. Further communication will follow based on this evaluation.
