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🇧🇪 Belgium /Disasters & Emergencies

Fire Department Warns Against Starting Fires After Meadow Blaze Near Ypres

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Firefighters in Westhoek are urging the public to be cautious and avoid starting fires due to dry conditions and warm weather forecasts.
  • A recent grass fire in a meadow near the Gasthuisbossen in Ypres was quickly brought under control, preventing it from spreading to the nearby forest.
  • The fire department suspects the recent incident may have been caused by a deliberately lit fire, prompting a police investigation and a renewed public warning.

The Westhoek fire department has issued a stern warning to the public, urging extreme caution and advising against starting any fires, especially in green areas, as the region faces dry conditions and rising temperatures.

Fortunately, we were able to avoid a forest fire.

— Kristof LouagieDescribing the successful intervention to prevent a meadow fire from spreading to a forest.

This appeal comes in the wake of a grass fire that erupted on Tuesday evening in a meadow adjacent to the Gasthuisbossen in Ypres. Firefighters responded swiftly around 5:15 p.m. to the blaze, which had engulfed approximately 2,000 square meters of dry grass. "Fortunately, we were able to avoid a forest fire," stated Kristof Louagie of Brandweer Westhoek, highlighting the successful rapid intervention.

We were able to surround the fire relatively quickly, limiting the damage.

— Geert LemenuDetailing the fire containment efforts at the scene.

Fire lieutenant Geert Lemenu, who was on the scene, described the quick containment efforts. "We were able to surround the fire relatively quickly, limiting the damage," he said. Despite the swift response, the fire had begun to spread to nearby trees and bushes, and a neighbor's fence was also damaged. This incident is not the first on this particular meadow; a similar fire occurred last summer, initially thought to be accidental.

Many people are not careful enough with fire and light fires.

— Geert LemenuWarning about public carelessness with fire during dry periods.

However, the possibility that the recent fire was intentionally set is not being ruled out, prompting the police to be called to the scene. "Many people are not careful enough with fire and light fires," Lemenu warned, drawing parallels to major wildfires seen in countries like France. "In this period, that can lead to disasters. Even here in our rural area, there is a risk of fire. So, a warning to the public: be careful what you do, do not make open fires, try to play safely, and do not take risks."

In this period, that can lead to disasters. Even here in our rural area, there is a risk of fire. So, a warning to the public: be careful what you do, make no open fires, try to play safely, and take no risks.

— Geert LemenuIssuing a public safety warning about the risks of open fires.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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