A major fire broke out at ZES Company located on Pearyweg in Goes, Netherlands, on Saturday, sparking widespread emergency response efforts and causing significant disruption to the area. The blaze, which started around 15:30 local time, rapidly escalated, prompting the local fire department, De Zeeuwse brandweer, to respond with urgency. Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke billowing from the property, with flames visible from nearby roads.
According to reports by the fire brigade, they have been actively fighting the fire for nearly 24 hours, with teams deployed from across the Zeeland Safety Region and additional support from Rotterdam-Rijnmond and Midden- en West-Brabant. Early attempts to control the flames occurred inside the building, but by evening, conditions grew too dangerous. Firefighters had to transition to fighting the flames from the outside using unmanned water cannons and breaking open sections of the roof to gain access. "De brand is al bijna 24 uur bezig met een enorme uitslaande brand..." reported De Zeeuwse brandweer, indicating the intensity and duration of the incident.
Despite the efforts, the fire reignited during demolition efforts carried out by the firefighters. This led to additional challenges as the fire spread rapidly within the facility. Firefighters attempted to use specialized fire-fighting robots, but conditions inside became restricted due to collapsed shelving and debris. "Het is niet bekend hoe lang dit nog kan duren..." stated Veiligheidsregio Zeeland as they continued their efforts to extinguish the flames.
The smoke from the fire poses health risks, prompting officials to advise area residents to keep windows and doors closed and turn off ventilation systems. The smoke drifted across the A58 highway, with authorities urging motorists to take precautions. The safety of the local population remains a top priority, as monitoring teams continue to assess air quality levels. "Onze meetploegen houden dat continu in de gaten..." said the safety region, reflecting their commitment to ensuring public safety.
Nearby facilities, including the local cinema at Da Vinciplein, have suspended operations due to the smoke, adding to the disruption experienced by the local community. The authorities have emphasized the need for caution during cleanup efforts, warning residents to handle any fallen soot or debris with care. "Trek handschoenen aan voordat je zichtbare brokstukken opraapt..." advised the safety region, urging residents to use gloves to avoid direct contact with potentially hazardous materials.
Currently, the fire remains active as of Sunday afternoon, with the situation still under control, albeit challenging for emergency crews. The fire brigade continues to rotate crews and utilize heavy equipment to combat the fire more effectively. With at least 200 firefighters and nearly 40 vehicles involved, the response effort has been extensive and will remain active until the blaze is completely extinguished.
The community continues to monitor developments closely, and the local government is prepared to offer assistance to those affected by the smoke and disruption caused by the fire. Authorities express gratitude toward the firefighters for their tireless efforts and encourage residents to remain vigilant to protect their health against smoke exposure, as fire crews remain on site dealing with the aftermath of this unpredictable and dangerous situation.