Panorama
Major fire at waste processing company Galloo in Menen
A major fire is raging at the waste processing company Galloo, causing significant smoke development and warnings for local residents.
On Wednesday morning around 4 a.m., a major fire broke out at the waste processing company Galloo in Menen, West Flanders. The fire is accompanied by an enormous smoke development, prompting the activation of the municipal emergency and intervention plan.
Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed and to turn off ventilation systems. According to Mayor Eddy Lust, it will take several hours before the fire is fully extinguished.
Approximately one hundred firefighters from Brandweerzone Fluvia and several fire brigades from France are involved in the firefighting efforts. The firefighters are dealing with a pile of waste, which includes electronics and batteries, that is likely the cause of the fire.
The smoke from the fire is reported to have reached East Flanders, with complaints of odor nuisance in places like Deinze and Zelzate. This indicates the seriousness of the situation and the scale of the fire.
The firefighting operations are of such magnitude that authorities have indicated it could take several days before all remnants are dealt with. Significant resources have been deployed to combat the blaze.
A Be-Alert message has been sent out to inform residents about the situation and to warn them about the smoke development.