Major fire in Bruges center: 4 buildings uninhabitable and 10 evacuated after 'spread due to strong wind'
Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- A major fire in the historic center of Bruges has rendered four buildings uninhabitable.
- The blaze, which started in a building behind a hair salon, spread to adjacent properties due to strong winds.
- Ten people were evacuated, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
A significant fire erupted in the heart of Bruges yesterday evening, causing substantial damage and displacing residents. The fire, which began in a building adjacent to a hair salon on Geerolfstraat, quickly spread to three other properties. Firefighters were alerted shortly after 7 PM to the escalating situation, with a large smoke plume visible across the city center, signaling the severity of the incident.
Door de strakke wind is het vuur overgeslagen naar 3 andere panden
Strong winds played a critical role in the rapid spread of the flames, exacerbating the situation and making containment challenging. Fire captain Jeroen Bonte confirmed that the wind caused the fire to jump to neighboring structures. As a result, four buildings, including two commercial establishments, are now considered uninhabitable due to extensive smoke, water, and electrical damage. The affected property owners are unable to access their premises at this time.
Vier panden, waaronder 2 handelszaken, zijn voorlopig onbewoonbaar
While the fire caused significant material damage, the immediate concern for emergency services was the safety of residents. Ten people were evacuated from their homes and will need to find alternative accommodation for the night. Fortunately, the fire department reported no injuries, a testament to the swift response and evacuation efforts. Firefighters remain on the scene to extinguish remaining hotspots and ensure the area is safe before releasing the buildings.
Er zijn nog heel wat brandhaarden in valse wanden en onder daken.
Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.