Brand Moerdijk once again made headlines after a significant fire erupted on March 18, 2025, at a company located on Apolloweg in the Moerdijk industrial zone. At around 7:30 AM, emergency services were alerted to thick black smoke billowing from the side of the building, specifically from the extraction unit’s filter housing.
The fire brigade responded quickly with six emergency vehicles, including several fire trucks and two aerial platforms. Thanks to their rapid intervention, the fire was brought under control within minutes. By 7:42 AM, the situation was declared “brand meester”—the Dutch term for a fire that is fully contained and no longer spreading.
Initial investigations suggest the fire began in the air extraction system, although the exact cause remains unknown. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and there was no immediate threat to nearby buildings. However, the towering smoke clouds were visible from surrounding areas and even from the highway, drawing the attention of many commuters and local residents.
This incident adds to a growing list of fires in the Moerdijk industrial area. Just last year, on August 31, 2024, a fire at a biomass company caused significant smoke and odor problems due to burning waste. Similarly, on September 28, 2023, a large fire engulfed a compost storage warehouse in the same zone. In both cases, emergency crews worked for hours to extinguish the flames, and nearby businesses were temporarily evacuated.
The recurring nature of these events has raised concerns about the safety measures in place across the industrial estate. With Moerdijk home to several chemical and logistical companies, local officials are now calling for stricter regulations, improved maintenance protocols, and more frequent safety inspections of fire-prone systems.
Authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the technical causes behind the latest fire. Meanwhile, companies in the vicinity are urged to review their internal safety processes and take preventive action where necessary.
Brand Moerdijk remains a critical topic of discussion—not just because of the damage and disruption caused, but as a reminder of the ongoing importance of fire safety and risk management in industrial zones.
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