Barn Fire in Glabbeek Kills 1,500 Pigs at Family Farm

A devastating fire destroyed a modern pig barn in Kapellen, part of the municipality of Glabbeek in Flemish Brabant, on Monday morning, killing approximately 1,500 pigs at a family-run farm that has spanned four generations. Emergency services managed to save 1,200 of the 1,500 pigs in an adjacent compartment, preventing an even greater loss of life.

The Blaze

The fire broke out early Monday morning at Landbouwbedrijf Lenaerts in the Stationsstraat. The farmer, who was present at the time, smelled something suspicious and heard an explosion before immediately calling emergency services, according to VRT NWS. Fire crews arrived within approximately seven minutes, but by then the fire was already raging fiercely.

Mayor Peter Reekmans (Dorpspartij) explained that the modern barn’s construction contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. “The new stables are very well insulated, but that insulation is also very flammable,” Reekmans told VRT NWS. “So the entire stable was quickly ablaze.”

Compartmentalization Saved Lives

The barn was divided into two compartments, each housing approximately 1,500 pigs. The fire started in the right compartment and destroyed it completely, killing all 1,500 animals inside. However, the compartmentalization design prevented the flames from spreading to the left section.

“Without the quick action of the owner and the fire brigade, and without the compartmentalization of the stable, the damage would have been much greater,” Reekmans said, as reported by Belga News Agency. Firefighters and farm workers successfully evacuated at least 1,200 surviving pigs, transporting them to other farms in trucks carrying approximately 200 animals each.

Devastating Blow to Family Farm

The emotional and financial impact on the Lenaerts family is immense. The pigs that died were already fattened and ready for sale, representing a direct loss of income. The modern barn itself — described by the mayor as costing “handenvol geld” (a lot of money) — was largely destroyed.

“It involves many animals and an enormous investment,” Reekmans said. “You might have insurance, but you never want to experience this.” The farm has been in the family for four generations. “No one wants to experience a fire like this,” he added.

Broader Context: A Recurring Problem

This fire is part of a troubling pattern of barn fires in Belgium. According to Animal Rights Belgium, which tracks barn fires through media reports, the 2026 toll of animal deaths from barn fires in Belgium now stands at 6,917 animals as of June 8.

Notable barn fires in Belgium this year include a February 2 fire in Gelderhorsten (Limburg) that killed 2,000 pigs, and a May 6 fire in Temse (Oost-Vlaanderen) that killed 3,000 pigs. The Glabbeek fire adds 1,500 to that toll.

A key factor highlighted by Mayor Reekmans is the flammability of modern barn insulation. While high-quality insulation is essential for maintaining optimal temperatures for animal welfare and energy efficiency, materials such as polystyrene are highly flammable. Once ignited, they cause fires to spread extremely rapidly.

Lack of Official Data

A 2026 report by Prevent Agri found that approximately 45% of barn fires in Belgium have no identified cause. The Belgian government does not maintain official statistics on animal deaths from barn fires, meaning organizations like Animal Rights must rely on media reports to track the scale of the problem. This lack of data has been criticized by animal welfare organizations who argue it hampers efforts to develop prevention strategies.

Investigation and Aftermath

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by a fire expert, who is expected to visit the scene later on Monday. The fire is suspected to have started at the rear of the barn. The Stationsstraat remained closed for several hours between the Dorpsstraat and Molenbeek-Wersbeek intersections, and nearby residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed due to heavy smoke.

What’s Next

Questions remain about whether the Lenaerts family will be able to rebuild and whether insurance will cover the losses. The incident is likely to renew calls for stricter building regulations for barns, particularly regarding the flammability of insulation materials. The compartmentalization design that saved half the animals may also influence future barn construction standards as authorities and farmers seek to balance energy efficiency with fire safety.