The blast occurred in a storage bunker at an industrial waste treatment plant belonging to the Indaver company on Friday. Photos from social media networks show dark clouds of smoke curling upwards.
About 60 firefighters have arrived at the site, the RTBF public broadcaster reports. The Antwerp fire service said on Twitter that neighboring Tijsmanstunnel on the R2 roadway was closed.
Brand bij Indaver - eerste beelden. #atvbe #Indaver #haven https://t.co/Enw4BgEsNU pic.twitter.com/GiL2NIpyMQ
— atv.be (@atvbe) February 26, 2016
Indaver said that there were no casualties or injuries resulting from the incident, as it managed to evacuate its staff from the site unharmed, according to Reuters.
The cause and nature of the blast remain unknown.
Ontploffing bij Indaver #portofantwerp @BWAntwerpen @LPAntwerpen @atvbe pic.twitter.com/PLUnFOrFbN
— Lynn V. (@Lynn_Verhaegen) February 26, 2016
Serieus brandje... #indaver @PortofAntwerp pic.twitter.com/23uzhvHlvJ
— Glenn De Nys (@glenndn) February 26, 2016
This plant treats hazardous and toxic waste not allowed in municipal waste streams.
Link to Indaver
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