Massive fire at tire facility in Bergen op Zoom sends heavy smoke over area
A massive fire broke out at a tire storage facility on Wednesday evening in Bergen op Zoom, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and prompting safety warnings for nearby residents. The fire, which started around 8:30 p.m. at the industrial complex on Kruisakkers, was brought under control roughly four hours later, but firefighters continued to extinguish smoldering remains into the early hours of Thursday.
The Midden- en West-Brabant Safety Region advised residents in the surrounding area to close windows and doors and turn off ventilation systems due to heavy smoke drifting northeast toward Halsterseweg.
Officials also warned of soot particles falling on cars, garden furniture, and other outdoor surfaces, advising residents to handle larger particles with gloves and dispose of them in waste bins. Smaller particles could be washed away with water, followed by thorough hand washing with soap and water.
The cause of the fire remains unclear. A spokesperson for the safety region confirmed that no one was inside the storage facility at the time of the blaze. “We have no indication of injuries, and the flames have not spread to adjacent businesses,” the spokesperson said.
Despite these reassurances, the flames caused significant damage to the tire storage building, which is part of a larger business complex. Nearby establishments, including Carglass and Toolstation, also sustained some damage. Firefighters deployed around ten fire engines and used an aerial ladder to fight the blaze from above.
The fire department escalated the incident to a “very large fire” status to marshal additional personnel and equipment. “Our priority was to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the building,” a fire department spokesperson said.
Thick smoke from the fire was visible from miles away and caused alarm among residents. Measurements were conducted to determine whether hazardous substances were present in the smoke, but no immediate health threats were reported.
As the fire grew, spectators gathered near the scene to watch the unfolding incident. Traffic controllers were deployed to manage onlookers and keep the area clear for emergency vehicles.
Although the exact cause is still under investigation, initial reports suggest the possibility of an electrical short circuit.
