A serious fire raged in a butcher’s shop in the center of Bonheiden on Sunday evening. Rivierenland fire brigade zone responded from 8 p.m. with all possible means to get the fire under control. But despite this, the fire continued for hours. The butcher’s shop and the workshop behind it were completely destroyed. According to the mayor, there were no serious injuries, only five people had to be ventilated because they had inhaled too much smoke.
“The fire started in the studio behind it. A serious fire broke out there for an unknown cause. The fire spread very quickly and caused a serious fire,” says Mayor Lode Van Looy.
“The butcher, his wife and his daughter were present at the time of the fire. They were all able to leave the building quickly and were not injured. In the building next door, several people were overcome by smoke. They had to be ventilated, but were only slightly injured. In terms of casualties it is not too bad, but the material damage is enormous.”
The black smoke plume is still very large at 9:21 p.m. — © bepr
“The studio behind it was completely burned out. The studio is connected to the store, so a large part of the smoke passed outside. The damage will also be extensive in the store itself. In the coming hours, the fire brigade will do everything it can to get the fire completely under control as quickly as possible. We may not have a full view of the damage to the building and the surrounding home until Monday morning,” says the mayor of Bonheiden.
The village center of Bonheiden was closed to traffic all evening. Many local residents came to watch the fire being fought. Nearby neighbors testify how quickly the fire developed. “We were sitting inside and smelled a burning smell. When we went outside to look, we saw the fire coming out from under the shutters. Shortly afterwards everything was on fire. The smoke was enormous.”
© bepr
The black plume of smoke persisted for a very long time. Bystanders were surprised that more than two hours after the fire started, it was still not under control. “This is clearly very difficult to extinguish,” said many bystanders.
The police asked to keep all windows and doors closed due to the enormous smoke development.
© bepr
The smoke plume is visible from Wommelgem. — © bfm
Tags: Center Bonheiden closed hours due heavy fire butchers shop completely destroyed Bonheiden
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