A major fire at the TTS industrial estate at Temse in East Flanders has caused a power cut that has left tens of thousands of homes and business in Temse, Sint-Niklaas and Kruibeke without power. The fire that is raging at the premises of the insolation company Isopanel is spreading smoke over a wide area and local people are being advised to keep their windows and doors shut and turn off any ventilation systems that they might have.
Fire at industrial estate in Temse leaves tens of thousands of homes without power
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Isopanel is located near to the E17 motorway. Isolation panels produced by the company have caught fire. The fire was possibly started by welding work that is being carried out at the site.
The Mayor of Temse Hugo Maes (Christian democrat) told VRT News that "It is very important that local residents switch off their ventilation systems. As these are insolation panels, we assume that the smoke is poisonous”.
A total of 30 people work at Isopanel. All but one of them escaped the blaze unscathed. One person was slightly injured and has been taken to hospital
Power cut
The fire has caused a power cut in Temse and large parts if Sint-Niklaas and Kruibeke. The grid management company Elia has turned of the power that passes through the high-tension cables that supply the area with electricity. This was necessary as the fire is just 15 metres from high-tension cables. The power means that traffic lights are not working in the Waasland area of East Flanders. This is causing tailbacks on some roads.