A major fire broke out at an animal crematorium in an industrial complex on the Karreveld in Koudekerke on Thursday evening, causing heavy smoke and extensive damage before firefighters brought the blaze under control, according to the Veiligheidsregio Zeeland (VRZ).
Emergency Response and Escalation Timeline
The fire was discovered around 20.20 hours, prompting emergency dispatches of fire trucks from Middelburg, Koudekerke, and Vlissingen. Responders deployed an aerial ladder truck and a water tanker alongside a large water transport setup to ensure an adequate supply of extinguishing water, as reported by local authorities. By 20.35 hours, the Veiligheidsregio Zeeland scaled the incident up to a major fire.
“The fire is raging in an animal crematorium. The building is fully engulfed in flames. The flames are coming out of the roof. We are going to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjacent business premises,” the Veiligheidsregio stated during the height of the response. At the time the fire broke out, no people were inside the facility, and no injuries were reported.
Smoke Monitoring and Resident Advisories
Heavy smoke poured from the burning structure, prompting a reconnaissance crew from the fire department to conduct air measurements in the surrounding neighborhood. The Veiligheidsregio advised Koudekerke residents bothered by smoke or odors to keep their windows and doors closed and to turn off their ventilation systems. Authorities also urged residents to stop calling 112 regarding the fire, noting that emergency services were already on the scene despite a high volume of incoming local calls.
Did You Know? Firefighters deployed a specialized relief platoon consisting of five fire vehicles that initially gathered at a local fire station before heading to Koudekerke to swap out exhausted crews.
Extinguishing Operations and Containment
Operations expanded further around 21.35 hours when a second water tank truck and a second high-capacity pump were called in to meet ongoing water demands. Because of the scale and expected duration of the incident, responders transitioned to working with firefighting platoons. The unit directly adjacent to the crematorium sustained fire damage, while another neighboring unit experienced smoke accumulation.
Around 22.15 hours, the officer on duty declared the fire largely extinguished. Three fire trucks remained stationed on-site for overhaul work and subsequent relief rotations, while remaining units returned to their barracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time was the fire discovered?
The fire was discovered at approximately 20.20 hours on Thursday evening.
Were there any injuries reported?
No injuries occurred because no people were present in the animal crematorium when the fire broke out.
When was the fire declared under control?
The fire service gave the all-clear signal at approximately 22.15 hours.
How did the fire impact neighboring structures?
The unit next to the animal crematorium suffered fire damage, and another adjacent unit experienced smoke development.
What actions were residents advised to take?
Inhabitants bothered by smoke or odors were advised to keep their windows and doors closed, turn off their ventilation, and refrain from calling 112.