A massive fire broke out late Friday night, completely destroying Textiel Services, located on Schrijnwerkerstraat in Rotterdam-Hoogvliet. Known for its workwear production for industrial sites, including Shell and Esso, the company lost everything to the flames.
The blaze ignited shortly after midnight and quickly engulfed the two-story building. Firefighters arrived swiftly, but the fire was intense, with flames reaching several meters high and consuming the entire structure within the hour.
Rick de Koning, owner of Textiel Services, expressed his devastation as he watched the flames engulf his 25-year-old business. "We were unsustainable; there were 420 solar panels on the roof, and they caught fire quickly as well. They're completely destroyed," he said, pacing near the smoking ruins.
The Rotterdam Fire Brigade categorized the incident as a 'very large fire,' deploying numerous firefighting units to control the situation, including specialized water transport vehicles. Despite the massive response, the building and its contents were declared a total loss.
By early morning, safety officials confirmed the fire was under control, but emergency crews remained at the scene, monitoring for hotspots and performing demolition work to alleviate any residual heat. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as the building was unoccupied at the time of the explosion.
Heavy smoke billowed from the fire, rising over the A15 highway, prompting safety warnings for nearby residents. Local officials urged individuals to keep windows and doors closed to avoid inhaling toxic smoke. Witnesses described seeing the fiery glow from afar, leading to panic among employees of surrounding businesses who feared for their own safety.
During the ordeal, de Koning stood with employees, visibly distressed. "I started this company with nothing, and now I have nothing again," he lamented. His commitment to sustainability and the community was clear, as he looked at what remained of his business.
Witnesses reported seeing flames erupting from the roof, and within minutes, the firefighters faced remarkable challenges. They had to work diligently to prevent the blaze from spreading to neighboring properties, which included another company involved with cleaning industrial tanks. Fortunately, quick action ensured no other buildings caught fire.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, with regional safety officials working to determine how such an intense blaze could start under the circumstances of secured operations.
By daybreak, photos of the destruction showed nothing left of the former textile company. The local community expressed sadness over the loss, and de Koning's employees stood outside, grappling with the shock of losing their workplace.
Experts will continue to assess the site to establish protocols for future safety and prevention, considering this incident's rapid escalation could have had more dire consequences were it not for the swift and efficient firefighting response.
Textiel Services employed approximately sixty individuals before the fire, and the company's future remains uncertain as the owner evaluates next steps amid the devastation.
For now, the priority lies with ensuring safety measures are reinforced to prevent similar incidents, as well as supporting the staff who have been affected by this catastrophe.