Residents evacuated as fire at Belgium warehouse sparks explosion fears

Residents living near a burning textile warehouse in the town of Tubize, southwest of Brussels, have been evacuated after authorities warned of a risk of explosions caused by gas canisters stored inside the building.

“Right now, we are evacuating everybody in the street, as there is a significant risk of explosion for the nearby houses because of the gas canisters inside the building,” Mayor Samuel d’Orazio told local radio station RTBF.

He added that emergency services were clearing nearby streets as a precaution.

Other residents in the town have been instructed to stay indoors with windows and doors closed due to toxic smoke from the blaze. Officials said the fumes may contain hazardous substances, including asbestos.

Authorities are monitoring the thick black smoke plume, which has spread over a wide area.

Belgium’s crisis centre has extended the warning to people living across a broad region south and west of Brussels, advising them to keep windows and doors shut.

The town has opened a sports hall to accommodate those forced to leave their homes.

The fire broke out on a public holiday in Belgium, and schools in the area will remain closed on Tuesday as a precaution.

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