Asbestos Fire in Tubize Disrupts Red Devils Training
A major warehouse fire in Tubize, Walloon Brabant, has been confirmed to have released asbestos-containing smoke, prompting school closures, health warnings for surrounding communities, and forcing the Belgian Red Devils national football team to relocate their World Cup preparations. Mayor Samuel D’Orazio confirmed the asbestos findings on Tuesday morning following analysis by the Scientific Institute of Public Service (ISSeP), as reported by RTBF.
The Fire and Asbestos Risk
The blaze broke out late Monday morning in a textile storage warehouse on Rue de la Filature in Tubize, approximately 20 kilometers southwest of Brussels. Firefighters from Braine-l’Alleud, Nivelles, and Tubize battled the flames through the night, applying water at a rate of roughly 8,000 liters per minute. A federal police helicopter was deployed to assist with water supply from the nearby canal.
Analysis confirmed that asbestos particles from the building’s roofing had been released into the smoke plume. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the asbestos risk was most acute during the first two hours of the fire. By Tuesday morning, emergency services reported that the active asbestos hazard in the smoke had largely subsided, though the plume continued to shift direction throughout the day.
Health Precautions and School Closures
Residents of Tubize and neighboring communes—including Hal, Lembecq, Braine-le-Comte, Ittre, and Rebecq—were advised to remain indoors with doors and windows closed. Wearing masks was recommended for essential outings. All schools and daycare centers in Tubize were closed on Tuesday, with the mayor stating he would not reopen them until receiving reassuring test results.
“It was not conceivable for us to confine children in classrooms and daycare centers,” Mayor D’Orazio explained, noting that expected temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius made it impossible to keep children in unairconditioned rooms with closed windows. Soil sampling in and around the affected schools and daycare centers has been ordered.
Three people suffered heat-related malaise due to the intense heat of the fire, though no serious injuries or fatalities were reported. The public prosecutor’s office of Walloon Brabant has been notified and is favoring the accident hypothesis, with an expert visit planned once the site is accessible.
Impact on the Belgian Red Devils
The fire struck at a particularly sensitive time for Belgian football. The Red Devils had just begun their pre-camp at the Proximus Basecamp in Tubize ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The team is scheduled to depart for the US on June 8.
Training on Tuesday was relocated to Neerpede, Anderlecht’s training complex, as a precaution. Players who had already reported for pre-camp—including Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Thomas Meunier, Nathan Ngoy, Mike Penders, Diego Moreira, Arthur Theate, Dodi Lukebakio, Nicolas Raskin, and Maarten Vandevoordt—worked out at the alternative facility.
The city council is assessing whether the Proximus Basecamp can be safely used by Wednesday. The Belgian Football Association (KBVB) stated that it is investigating possible alternatives and will communicate proactively as further clarity emerges.
Firefighting Operations Continue
A specialized company, Demeuter, was brought in on Tuesday morning to clear collapsed metal roof beams, allowing firefighters to access the underlying fire. The building structure collapsed overnight, and acetylene canisters continued to explode as the fire burned beneath the debris. The Red Cross deployed to the scene on Tuesday as a preventive measure.
All festivities in Tubize have been suspended until further notice, and the art festival at the Château de Lembecq in Hal was also interrupted.
Looking Ahead
While the immediate asbestos risk in the smoke has diminished, the incident raises broader questions about asbestos management in Belgium’s aging industrial building stock. Asbestos was widely used in Belgian construction until bans were implemented in 2001 and 2003, and many older buildings still contain the hazardous material in roofing and insulation.
For the Red Devils, the disruption comes at a critical juncture in their World Cup preparations. Whether they can return to the Proximus Basecamp by Wednesday remains uncertain, but the team’s priority—and that of local authorities—remains the health and safety of players, staff, and the Tubize community.”