150 cows die on fire, straw burns out controlled from: « Evacuated neighbors may enter home » (Alveringem)
The blazing stable fire that broke out on Friday in Alveringem in West Flanders cost 150 cows, including fifty calves. The fire brigade had straw burned out of the stable in a controlled manner. The evacuated neighbors can go home again. The fire brigade is launching an emergency number for asbestos in the neighborhood.
Since last Friday afternoon, fire brigade Westhoek had its hands full of fighting a blazing shed along the Lostraat in Gijverinkhove, a part of Alveringem. There were around 200 cows in the shed. « According to the farmer, 150 animals have been on fire, including 50 calves, » says Kristof Louagie, spokesperson for the Westhoek fire brigade. “A veterinarian died on the spot Evacuated animals with burns and to allow the necessary pain medication. ”
The fire brigade had the straw burned out in a controlled manner.
The civil protection sent aids on site, including a crane and drone team to visualize the incident from the air. The roof of the shed contains asbestos that was carried along with the smoke. The fire brigade called « with urge » to stay out of the smoke, close windows and doors and switch off ventilation near the fire.
The burnt -out shed.
Six people were taken care of in a meeting center of the municipality of Alveringem. « The residents who had to leave their home because of the smoke development can enter their house again, » says Louagie. It concerns the houses of Weegschede 1 to 8 and from 10 to 22. The fire brigade and civil protection remained on site for the entire night. « The fire brigade will clean the streets and footpaths in the course of the morning, » it sounds.
The fire brigade and civil protection remained on site all night.
The smoke development was still there all night, from Friday to Saturday. « The majority of the straw has burned out. There is still smoke development in the area. There is no asbestos present in the smoke that now rises from the straw. »
Emergency number
« After analysis of the reported soot particles by the Dangerous Substances Adviser, there is possible asbestos in an area of up to 250 meters with the wind towards Weegschede. » Soet particles found can be reported on Saturday from 8 a.m. on 0494/41.92.30.
« In the further areas this only concerns soot particles. These can be cleaned up with gloves and thrown into the garbage can. Afterwards the hands must be thoroughly washed with soap, » the fire brigade says.
