School fire releases asbestos in Brabant town

Asbestos was released in the fire that broke out in a former school in Zeeland, Brabant last night, the AD reports. A spokesperson for the fire department stated that thus far there is no danger to local residents. Experts are investigating the spread of the carcinogenic substance. "It is especially thick close to the school. It presumably involves white asbestos, which is the least harmful form", the spokesperson said to the newspaper. Residents have been advised to keep windows and doors closed and to not pick anything from the garden as a precaution. More clarity will be given on the asbestos situation during the course of the day. Firefighters from Zeeland, Veghel, Uden and Schaijk arrived to fight the fire, which started in the former primary school De Vlasgaard. The fire was under control after a few hours. The cause of the fire is still unknown. Parts of the building had to be knocked down with a crane so that firefighters could get access to extinguish the fire. The school building was already listed for demolition.

De #Vlasgaard in de brand in #Zeeland pic.twitter.com/ntLeIBD9lx

— Marcel de Klein (@q_bus) February 22, 2015