LOKEREN (BRUSSELS MORNING): A fire at the Condebo waste facility in Lokeren is spreading rapidly and posing an environmental risk, with firefighters battling the blaze and investigating a potential cause linked to stored materials.
At 8 o’clockDay On Sunday afternoon in September, workers at a local company discovered a fire at Condebo on Waaslandlaan in Lokeren, with smoke rising from the warehouse. Condebo processes waste and rents containers, making them vulnerable to fire due to the materials stored there. The fire spread quickly, affecting one warehouse with residual waste and one warehouse with wood waste, with thick smoke visible from a distance. Firefighters responded quickly, but the nature of the waste involved made it difficult to extinguish the fire.
What challenges do waste management facilities face in fire prevention and suppression?
Authorities have raised concerns about environmental issues such as toxic smoke and water contamination from the fire. Residents have been instructed to keep their windows and doors closed for their own safety. Emergency services are working hard to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other areas or nearby properties. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but early indications suggest it was caused by combustible waste stored there. This incident highlights the dangers of waste treatment facilities and the need for strong fire safety measures.
A fire broke out in a warehouse storing residual waste, and fire officials believe the fire may have started spontaneously. One reason could be that sunlight hits glass fragments in the waste, concentrating heat on nearby materials that can easily catch fire, such as paper or plastic. This happens more often when the weather is clear and warm, as high temperatures can increase the risk of fire. Shiny surfaces and dry materials can cause fires to start without a flame. Another possible cause, according to officials, is the presence of combustible materials in the waste, such as chemical or aerosol cans. These materials can ignite from heat or pressure, even without a direct flame. Warm weather can exacerbate this risk, as the waste piles heat up, making them more likely to catch fire. If a fire starts in a place full of waste, it can spread quickly, making it difficult for firefighters to put out because so much of it is burning.
Firefighters from the East Coast gathered to fight a major fire in a large pile of trash called “Trash Mountain.” They brought water in with tankers and worked for hours to put it out. They said it was difficult because the trash was so dense that they had to use bulldozers to tear it out. This helped to water the hidden fires and cool everything down so that the fire wouldn’t start again.
