The fire that erupted overnight at Vanheede's site on Pildersweg in Roeselare is now under control. Emergency services are expected to remain on location for an extended period, conducting smoldering operations with specialized equipment. Fortunately, there were no casualties. All personnel on the Vanheede site were evacuated, as was the staff from the adjacent company, Paulig, as a precautionary measure.
The mayor declared a municipal disaster plan overnight to coordinate the efforts of the various emergency services. Over 100 firefighters from multiple zones responded to the incident.
Soot particles may have settled in the immediate vicinity of the company. These particles do not contain asbestos, as the substance was not present in the building where the fire occurred. Residents who find such particles on their property are advised to collect them with gloves and dispose of them with their residual waste.
During the smoldering process, significant odor nuisance may occur depending on the wind direction. Emergency services have been conducting continuous air quality monitoring since early this morning. Within a 1-kilometer perimeter around the company, residents are currently asked to keep windows and doors closed and to refrain from activating ventilation systems. Even outside this perimeter, an unpleasant burning smell might be noticeable throughout the morning.
The municipal disaster plan has since been lifted, but emergency services continue to monitor the situation. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
