Asbestos Investigation Underway After Halmaal Farm Fire Claims Cattle Lives
Halmaal, Belgium – A significant fire at a farm stable on Landenseweg in Halmaal Wednesday morning resulted in the deaths of five cattle and prompted an asbestos investigation, local authorities confirmed. Emergency services responded to the blaze, which broke out just after 9 a.m., but were challenged by its scale.The fire engulfed a stable measuring approximately 70 by 30 meters, housing bulls, dairy cows, and calves. Despite a rapid and ample response from the fire brigade, several animals perished.”Sadly, a few cattle did not survive the fire,” stated Chief Fabrice curto.
Captain Tom Bosmans reported that dense smoke, generated by burning straw and hay, contributed to the deaths of five animals. “Due to the dense smoke,five cattle died. In the meantime, we have the fire under control and our teams are fully engaged in re-extinguishing works and the removal of the last fires in the straw bales,” he said.
A key concern is the potential release of asbestos particles from corrugated sheets on the stable roof.Firefighters are working to contain debris to facilitate a controlled cleanup by specialized services. Rendac is on-site for animal carcass removal.
Mayor Ludwig Vandenhove assured residents that the immediate danger has passed. “There is no more immediate danger in the yard and the immediate surroundings,” he stated.Experts and environmental officials are assessing whether asbestos has spread to surrounding fields, with immediate cleanup planned if necessary.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed via BE-Alert as a precaution. A 500-meter safety perimeter was established during the incident.
