Major Fire and Explosions Reported in Kortrijk, Belgium
A major fire broke out in an old warehouse in Kortrijk, western Belgium, on Friday, October 23, following a powerful explosion. Repeated bangs continued as firefighters rushed to the scene and deployed all available resources to contain the blaze.
The fire is burning in the ’t Hoge area, behind a Dovy Kitchens location. However, the warehouse itself does not belong to the kitchen company, according to local media reports.
Firefighters Deploy All Available Resources
Emergency services responded in large numbers as flames spread through the warehouse, sending a massive plume of smoke into the sky.
Fluvia Fire and Rescue Zone significantly increased its response because of the severity of the fire and the risk of further explosions. All available firefighting resources were being directed to the site as crews worked to bring the blaze under control.
The cause of the initial explosion and the circumstances surrounding the fire had not been confirmed in the initial reports.
Residents Urged to Stay Indoors
Authorities urged people living nearby to remain indoors because of the ongoing fire and potential danger. The affected street was closed as emergency crews worked at the scene.
The incident is taking place in ’t Hoge, an area south of the E17 highway and Kortrijk’s historic city center. The neighborhood includes the KU Leuven Kulak campus and several other higher education institutions.
Fire Could Delay Other Emergency Responses
The large-scale deployment is also affecting emergency services across the wider region.
Fluvia warned that other calls for assistance could face delays because so many firefighting resources were committed to the incident. Responses to storm-related emergencies could also take longer than usual.
Firefighters continued working to control the blaze as authorities urged residents to follow safety instructions and avoid the affected area.
Further details about the cause of the explosion, possible injuries and the extent of the damage had not been confirmed in the initial reports.
