A major tire storage fire erupted on Wednesday evening at around 20:30 (8:30 PM) at the Petlas Banden Service facility located on the Kruisakkers industrial area of Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands. The fire department quickly responded, upgrading the situation to what they termed 'very large fire' within two minutes of arrival.
The fire generated significant amounts of smoke, prompting safety officials to advise local residents experiencing the effects to close windows and doors and turn off their ventilation systems. The smoke was reported to be drifting northeast, raising concerns for those nearby.
According to the local fire brigade, there were no people present at the tire storage facility when the fire broke out. A spokesperson from the safety region stated, “People nearby experiencing smoke problems are advised to close windows and doors and turn off ventilation systems.”
Despite the intense flames shooting out of the facility, fire officials reported at least initially, the fire had not spread to the adjacent businesses housed within the same industrial complex, which includes Carglass and Toolstation. Local authorities engaged traffic controllers to manage the situation, as curious crowds of onlookers began to gather.
The fire brigade deployed five tankers and two aerial platforms to combat the blaze, and assistance was called for from neighboring departments such as those from Halsteren and Steenbergen to provide additional manpower. The safety region warned residents about the large volume of smoke and advised caution.
At this time, the cause of the fire remains unclear, and authorities have not yet provided details on the extent of damages or if there are any injured parties connected to the incident.
The challenges posed by the fire are compounded by the dense smoke, which is impacting air quality, leading to heightened health advisories for local residents. “We are trying to prevent the fire from spreading to the rest of the building,” affirmed the spokesperson from the fire brigade as emergency crews continued their response efforts.
While the situation remains under control as of the last reports, the community is left awaiting updates on the situation, particularly information about potential structural damages and the future operations of the tire storage facility.
Authorities are also focusing on the investigation surrounding the cause of the fire, as community concerns grow over safety protocols within local businesses.
All eyes are turned toward the tire storage facility as officials make their rounds and gather information necessary to determine the next steps for firefighting and recovery efforts.
For now, Bergen op Zoom will remain vigilant as the aftermath of this large fire draws attention from both locals and nearby residents alike, all eager for clarity surrounding this shocking incident.
