A fire is currently underway at the Vanheede site on Pildersweg in Roeselare. Emergency services are on site in large numbers to combat the blaze and bring the situation under control. There have been no casualties; all personnel from the company itself, as well as staff from the neighboring company Paulig, have been evacuated.
To optimally coordinate the efforts of the various emergency services and take necessary measures, the mayor has declared the municipal disaster plan. Multiple fire brigades are currently present. The cause of the fire is not yet known; emergency services are fully focused on bringing the fire under control.
There is no asbestos present in the building, but various waste materials are on site. In the immediate vicinity, within a 1 km radius around the company, it is advised to keep windows and doors closed and not to activate ventilation systems, as odor nuisance may occur.
This information was also disseminated via Be-Alert to the surrounding perimeter and through the social media channels of Stad Roeselare. Emergency services request that the area around Pildersweg and the Roeselare-Haven access roads be avoided to allow emergency services sufficient space. Access routes to the company via surrounding streets are being closed off.
