Firefighters were mobilized all night Sunday in Masnuy-Saint-Jean, near Jurbise in Hainaut. The sheds of a farm caught fire and were completely destroyed. This Monday morning, the fire is under control, but it will take several days for the fire to be completely extinguished.
Firefighters were called around 6:30 p.m. yesterday. When they arrived, the blaze was already considered substantial. “We noticed on the spot that we were dealing with a hay fire“, says Maxime Delporte, captain at the rescue zone Hainaut Center. “Three buildings were impacted. One was almost destroyed. The other two adjacent buildings were damaged, but not yet destroyed.”
Given the extent of the damage, it was impossible to enter the building safely. The risk of the metal structure collapsing, weakened by the flames, was too great. “We made the choice, given the danger, to let the straw burn, and to protect the adjacent buildings.“
A controlled fire, but several days of work for the firefighters
The surroundings have been secured, so there is no risk for the inhabitants. The animals were evacuated. From now on, we must let the flames do their work, until there is nothing left to burn. “We estimate that we will have it for regarding two or three days“, specifies the captain of the rescue zone Hainaut Center. “We have teams that will take turns 24 hours a day to monitor the evolution of the fire.”
At this time, the cause of the fire is unknown. “What is reassuring is that there is no danger for the residents, nor for the occupants and the animals might be brought to safety, and therefore it is only material damage“, adds Jacqueline Galant, mayor of Jurbise. “But as I speak to you, I do not know yet if it is accidental or voluntary and therefore that there will be an investigation.