A major fire at a clothing depot in Tubeke, Belgium, forced local authorities to activate the municipal emergency plan on May 25, 2026, disrupting the pre-camp preparations of the Belgian national football team and prompting school closures. The blaze, which released asbestos into the air, led to the temporary evacuation of nearby neighborhoods and the postponement of a scheduled press event for the Rode Duivels according to sporza.be.
Fire Disrupts National Team Preparations
The Belgian national football team, known as the Rode Duivels, had planned a pre-camp gathering in Tubeke ahead of the upcoming World Cup, but the fire compelled organizers to delay a press conference featuring new player Matias Fernandez-Pardo. “Op vraag van de lokale autoriteiten worden alle activiteiten op het Proximus Basecamp tot een minimum beperkt,” the football association stated, citing local authorities’ directives according to sporza.be.
For more on this story, see Nathan De Cat’s Speedy Recovery: Set for Belgian Cup Final Against Club Brugge.
The fire broke out in the early hours of May 25 at a textile storage facility in Tubeke, a town in the Flemish region. Local firefighters reported that the blaze spread rapidly due to the flammable materials stored inside, prompting the activation of the municipal emergency plan. The incident prompted the temporary evacuation of residents within a 500-meter radius of the depot, according to a statement from the Tubeke municipal authorities. “We are working closely with emergency services to ensure the safety of all residents,” the statement read. “The area remains under control, but we urge people to follow the guidelines provided by the local authorities.”
This follows our earlier report, Godts Accepts World Cup Exclusion, Praises Coach’s Call.
The fire also released asbestos fibers into the atmosphere, leading to
