Big fire engulfs Dongen industrial facility, solar panel debris spreads 18 kilometers
A massive fire broke out late last evening at an industrial facility in Dongen, a town in Noord-Brabant, which processes leather and other materials. Flames erupted from the roof, where solar panels had been installed, and soared meters high. By 5:30 a.m. today, fire crews had the blaze under control, NOS reported.
The fire, which started in a portion of the building’s roof, was intense enough to cause debris from the solar panels to scatter as far as 18 kilometers away. The safety region of Midden- and West-Brabant issued a warning that the foil fragments from the solar panels could be sharp and pose a danger. Farmers in the vicinity were advised to temporarily keep their animals indoors and to inspect their feed and water for potential glass particles.
The fire department made the decision to allow the fire to burn out on its own rather than actively extinguishing it. This method, referred to as a controlled burn, is sometimes chosen when the risks of further damage or injury from extinguishing efforts are high. "This means the fire department has opted not to extinguish the flames actively, but to allow it to burn out naturally until it dies down on its own," a spokesperson for the fire department explained.
Despite the severity of the flames, the safety region confirmed that no hazardous materials were present in the air following the fire. The facility contained chemicals and oils, but the extreme heat caused them to burn up quickly. "Due to the intense heat, these substances were almost immediately consumed, so the presence of hazardous chemicals in the air is minimal," the safety region reported. No elevated concentrations of dangerous substances have been detected in the area.
Firefighters responded with a large deployment of resources, drawing water from the nearby Wilhelminakanaal to combat the fire. Authorities also warned the public to avoid the area to prevent damage to fire hoses and other equipment. "To prevent our hoses from being damaged, we are urging everyone to stay clear of the area," the safety region said.
