Genk Fire Destroys 3 Hectares, Homes Narrowly Spared

A natural fire on heathland in the Termien district of Genk, Belgium, destroyed approximately 3 hectares of vegetation on Saturday afternoon, coming within 30 meters of residential homes before firefighters managed to halt its advance. The blaze broke out between Akkerstraat and Meeënheide in the late afternoon, with residents alerted as flames spread rapidly through dry vegetation, according to VRT NWS.

Rapid Response Prevents Worse Outcome

Brandweerzone Oost-Limburg (East Limburg Fire Zone) deployed three forest fire trucks and a pump truck, reinforced by crews from the Hasselt fire station. “The fire brigade immediately deployed with 3 forest fire trucks and a pump truck,” said Karen De Smedt, spokesperson for the fire zone. “We received reinforcement from the Hasselt fire station. Upon arrival, the fire had come within just 30 meters of the houses.”

The fire spread quickly due to strong winds and exceptionally dry conditions. “Due to the wind, the meadow fire in Akkerstraat spread very quickly,” De Smedt told HLN. “We were able to stop the fire within 30 meters of a row of trees and nearby houses. A pump truck, a tanker truck and two forest fire trucks were deployed for that.” The intervention at Akkerstraat was completed by around 7 PM.

Residents Fight Flames Alongside Firefighters

Neighbors played a crucial role in limiting the damage. As instructed by the fire department, residents used buckets of water and garden hoses to extinguish small flare-ups that continued to ignite in the scorched earth. TVL reported that everyone present joined the effort, though the damage to adjacent gardens remains extensive.

Local resident Britt described the scene: “Their garden was in flames. Their garden was full of greenery and plants and is certainly half burned out.” Her own garden was spared, and a carnival float she was working on was saved. “The fire brigade told us we should extinguish small fires ourselves as quickly as possible,” she explained. “If those fires get bigger, we must notify the fire brigade immediately.”

The fire brigade warned residents about “nabrandjes” — small secondary fires that can flare up because dry soil and heather roots retain heat for extended periods. When wind picks up, hidden heat receives extra oxygen and can reignite.

Second Fire Spotted from the Air

During the operation, a federal police helicopter coincidentally flying in the area on a search mission in Tongeren spotted a second fire in Oud Termienstraat. A garden fire had spread to the roof of a business warehouse. Firefighters had to split their forces to address both incidents, but the second fire was also quickly extinguished.

A Region Under Fire Pressure

Saturday’s blaze is the latest in a series of natural fires affecting the Limburg region amid one of Belgium’s most severe drought periods on record. The Agency for Nature and Forests escalated the fire danger code from yellow to orange across Flanders on July 13 due to predicted heatwaves and lack of rainfall, as reported by VRT NWS.

Since mid-July, multiple natural fires have broken out in the region, including an 8-hectare fire at Mechels Bos in Maasmechelen, fires at Lanklaarderbos in Dilsen-Stokkem and Opglabbekerzavel in Genk, and a 2-hectare blaze at the Schemmersberg nature area in Genk on July 25. The previous week, VRT NWS reported that the Schemmersberg fire spread rapidly due to drought conditions, and the fire brigade subsequently warned the public to refrain from making fires or smoking in nature areas, as TVL reported.

Investigation Underway

The cause of the Termien fire remains under investigation. Residents are now assessing the damage, with one neighbor’s garden roughly half destroyed. Britt and her family have begun clearing wooden materials from their property as a precaution. “We’re taking our precautions,” she said. “This could have been worse.”

As Belgium continues to grapple with extreme drought conditions and water pumping bans across Limburg and West Flanders, the risk of further natural fires remains elevated. Authorities urge residents in areas adjacent to natural vegetation to remain vigilant and to report any signs of fire immediately.