Residents have been evacuated after a major fire broke out at a textile warehouse in Tubize, a town southwest of Brussels in Belgium, amid fears that stored gas canisters inside the building could trigger explosions.
Local authorities moved quickly to clear nearby streets after emergency services warned of a serious risk to surrounding homes. Officials said the presence of pressurised gas containers inside the burning warehouse made the situation particularly dangerous.
Tubize Mayor Samuel d’Orazio Samuel d’Orazio confirmed that residents living closest to the site were ordered to leave immediately as firefighters worked to control the blaze and reduce the risk of further incidents.
He said evacuation efforts were focused on protecting people living in the immediate vicinity, while emergency teams secured the area and restricted access to nearby roads. Authorities described the operation as precautionary but necessary due to the instability inside the warehouse.
In addition to the evacuation zone, officials instructed other residents in Tubize to remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and avoid exposure to heavy smoke spreading across the area. The smoke plume from the fire was reported to be thick and black, raising concerns about air quality.
Belgian emergency services warned that the smoke could contain hazardous materials, including potentially toxic substances such as asbestos, depending on what was stored inside the textile facility. Air monitoring teams were deployed to assess the situation.
Belgium’s national crisis centre Belgian Crisis Centre issued wider public safety advice, extending alerts to surrounding regions south and west of Brussels. Residents in affected areas were urged to keep their homes sealed and limit outdoor exposure.
The fire broke out on a public holiday, which authorities said may have affected initial response conditions. Despite this, emergency crews were rapidly deployed to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.
As a precaution, local authorities opened a sports hall to temporarily shelter residents who were forced to evacuate their homes. Officials said support services were being provided to those displaced by the incident.
Schools in the area are expected to remain closed on Tuesday as safety assessments continue and air quality is monitored. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire.
Firefighters are continuing efforts to bring the blaze under control while assessing the structural stability of the warehouse. Officials say the priority remains preventing any explosion risk and ensuring public safety.
The incident has caused significant disruption in the region, with road closures and emergency alerts affecting travel around Tubize and surrounding areas.
Investigations will begin once the fire is fully extinguished, with authorities expected to examine storage conditions, safety compliance, and the origin of the blaze.
For now, officials are urging residents to follow safety instructions closely as emergency operations continue.
