Bruges (Eurotoday) – A major fire destroyed a bicycle warehouse on Baron De Serretstraat in Sint-Michiels, Bruges. Firefighters, led by Major Jeroen Bonte, battled the flames for hours. The N31 exit to Bevrijdingslaan is closed.
A massive fire broke out in a warehouse on Baron De Serretstraat in Sint-Michiels, near Bruges. The blaze was so intense that it completely destroyed the building, with thick smoke visible from miles away. Firefighters from several units responded to the scene to contain the fire.
The warehouse stored numerous bicycles, including e-bikes. Fortunately, as the store was closed at the time of the incident, no injuries were reported. However, the fire burned so fiercely that it took hours for firefighters to bring it under control. While they managed to suppress the flames at the front of the warehouse, the rear section continued burning for several hours.
**“When we arrived with several teams, the flames were already through the roof,”**
said Jeroen Bonte, a major in the Bruges fire brigade.
What caused the warehouse fire in Bruges?
Firefighters remained at the warehouse for an extended period to fully extinguish the fire and prevent any reignition. Due to the extensive damage, cleaning up the site and determining the cause of the fire will take considerable time.
The Mayor confirmed that no one was harmed, but the destruction of numerous bicycles would result in significant financial losses. Because of the thick smoke, residents were advised to keep their doors and windows closed to prevent potential health risks. Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the fire, as it remains unknown.
**“The building is completely lost,”**
said Bonte.
**“We will probably be busy here for a long time.”**
According to police reports, the Bevrijdingslaan exit from the Expresweg (N31) remains closed due to the fire and the resulting smoke. Bevrijdingslaan is a major route into the city, and its closure is expected to cause significant traffic delays. Authorities are urging drivers to use alternative routes to avoid congestion and allow firefighters to carry out their work without interruption.
Police have also advised residents to stay away from the Waggelwater area, near the fire’s location. They warned that due to wind conditions, the smoke is drifting westward, potentially making the air hazardous, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions.
Officials emphasized that the combination of heavy smoke and the fire’s scale poses health risks, particularly for those with existing breathing problems. Emergency services are diligently working to extinguish the fire and are closely monitoring the situation. Authorities will continue providing updates as necessary.
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