Fire in Bruges Disrupts ASAP Nails & Beauty Operations, Sparks Business Regulation Dispute

Bruges (Eurotoday) –
A major fire at De Scheemaeker in Bruges in March 2025 led to asbestos contamination. Despite being located outside the designated red zone, ASAP Nails & Beauty was prohibited from opening its doors. Sales manager Björn van Zundert is challenging the city’s restrictions, and legal action may be on the horizon.

The cosmetics shop ASAP Nails & Beauty, situated near the incident site, expressed frustration over the city of Bruges’ safety measures that prevented them from welcoming customers on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Authorities, including police and the fire department, only allowed the shop manager access, citing safety concerns and deeming the visit non-essential for customers.

Although the store was located outside the red zone—an area deemed to have the highest contamination levels—it was still required to comply with emergency restrictions. The business has formally submitted a complaint to city officials, calling the measures unjust. Björn van Zundert, the company’s sales and marketing manager, confirmed they are consulting their insurance provider and legal counsel to determine next steps.

Could Bruges Face Legal Action Over Fire-Related Business Disruptions?

ASAP Nails & Beauty is not alone in considering legal recourse. According to van Zundert, other affected businesses are also weighing lawsuits due to financial losses and operational disruptions following the city’s emergency response.

Bruges Mayor Dirk De fauw stated that he was not yet aware of any legal complaints but confirmed the city is preparing its legal defenses. He acknowledged the dilemma of balancing public safety with minimizing damage to local businesses.

The blaze at bicycle manufacturer De Scheemaeker in March 2025 released harmful asbestos particles, prompting prolonged cleanup efforts by emergency crews and specialized environmental teams. The city set up a red zone around the most contaminated buildings, barring access until labs could verify the area was safe.

While ASAP Nails & Beauty was just outside this restricted zone and not directly affected by the path of smoke and ash, the store still faced stiff regulations. On March 23, the salon had planned a special opening event, but the city denied them permission to operate due to lingering concerns over airborne asbestos.

“At that time, there were no guarantees as to whether or not asbestos was present on the site of the cosmetics company, where party tents were located, among other things,”

said Mayor Dirk De fauw (CD&V).

“The street was full of fire engines, and there was a water curtain to rinse off cars. In those circumstances, it is quite logical that an open day cannot take place.”