Residents in Belgian town evacuated due to explosion risk at burning building
Evacuation and Safety Measures in Tubize
(Corrects spelling of town as Tubize in second paragraph)
Incident Overview
BRUSSELS, May 25 (Reuters) - People living near a burning textile warehouse in a town west of Brussels were evacuated from their homes on Monday due to the significant risk of canisters stored nearby exploding, the local mayor said in a radio interview.
Impact on Local Residents
Other residents in the town of Tubize were told to stay home with their windows and doors closed, the council said on its website, due to the toxicity of smoke from the fire.
Statements from Authorities
"Right now, we are evacuating everybody in the street, as there is a significant risk of explosion for the nearby houses because of the gas canisters inside the building," mayor Samuel d'Orazio told local radio station RTBF.
Monitoring and Ongoing Response
Authorities are measuring the toxicity of the thick black smoke plume, he added.
Wider Safety Alert
The alert to keep doors and windows closed extended to those living in a broad area west of Brussels as the toxic fumes spread across the area.
Reporting and Editing Credits
(Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by David Holmes)
