Renewi Waste Plant Fire in Ghent Port Brought Under Control
A major fire broke out early Friday morning at the Renewi waste processing facility in the port of Ghent, prompting a large-scale firefighting response and a temporary public health advisory for nearby residents. The fire was brought under control by late morning, with no injuries reported and no harmful substances detected in the surrounding area.
The fire ignited in the early morning hours, shortly before 5 AM local time, in a large warehouse containing residual waste at the Renewi facility on John F. Kennedylaan, according to VRT NWS. A second warehouse also caught fire as flames spread through the complex.
Large-Scale Emergency Response
More than 70 firefighters from Brandweerzone Centrum (Central Fire Zone) were deployed to the scene, supported by Belgium’s Civil Protection (Civiele Bescherming). The operation was complicated by the nature of the materials involved and the extreme heat conditions — June 26 was reported as the hottest day of the year so far in Belgium.
“A waste fire is always complex. It was difficult to find the fire sources, but we can now state that the fire is under control and there is hardly any smoke development anymore,” said Bjorn Bryon, spokesperson for Brandweerzone Centrum, as reported by VRT NWS.
Firefighters deployed a specialized firefighting robot (blusrobot) to assist with extinguishing operations from outside the warehouses, as HLN reported. The Civil Protection first checked the structural safety of the warehouse roofs before allowing fire crews to enter.
Smoke and Public Advisory
The fire produced a significant smoke plume visible from afar, which drifted toward the municipalities of Evergem, Kluizen, Ertvelde, and Zelzate. Low-hanging smoke also created visibility hazards on the R4 highway. Local authorities advised residents to keep windows and doors closed and turn off ventilation systems as a precaution.
“The preventive measure to close windows and doors has therefore been lifted. All measurements for harmful substances in the area are also negative. And the firefighting water is being collected and processed on-site,” Bryon told VRT NWS. “That doesn’t mean the fire is completely out, because we still need to continue extinguishing.”
Firefighter Welfare Amid Heatwave
The operation unfolded during a severe heatwave, with firefighters working in heavy protective gear in sweltering conditions. The fire department implemented special welfare measures, including a vehicle stocked with chilled drinks and food, cooled chairs, and tents providing shade.
“You must not forget how hot it is when they have to work with warm suits in sweltering heat. We have provided a vehicle with chilled drinks and food, and also cooled chairs,” Bryon explained.
Environmental and Safety Measures
Air quality measurements in the surrounding area all returned negative for harmful substances, according to authorities. Firefighting water was collected and processed on-site to prevent contamination of local waterways. The specialized port and logistics publication Flows.be noted that the smoke caused significant nuisance in the Ghent canal zone.
Broader Context
Renewi, a leading European waste-to-product company, has a significant presence in the port of Ghent, where it operates a waste processing and recycling facility. The company has invested heavily in the site in recent years, including a new state-of-the-art sorting line and a partnership with ENGIE to build Belgium’s tallest wind turbine.
This incident follows a previous major fire at a Renewi facility in Amsterdam, where mattresses burned in a warehouse. The cause of the Ghent fire has not yet been determined, and the extent of material damage remains unclear. Renewi has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.
What’s Next
Extinguishing operations (nablussen) were expected to continue for several hours into the afternoon as firefighters worked to fully extinguish all remaining hot spots. The fire raises questions about fire safety protocols at waste processing facilities, particularly during extreme weather conditions. An investigation into the cause of the fire is expected to follow.