Recreation domain De Schorre reopens one month after Tomorrowland fire
De Schorre in Boom, the provincial recreation domain that hosts Tomorrowland, will reopen on 15 August as originally planned. A month ago, a fire destroyed the festival’s main stage, but Tomorrowland and the province of Antwerp say independent experts have confirmed the site is safe.
The fire broke out on 16 July, two days before Tomorrowland’s first weekend, during construction of the stage. The blaze spread rapidly, almost completely destroying the main stage. No one was injured, and the festival continued with an alternative stage.
Burnt stage materials and fireworks debris were scattered across the area. The main stage was built from Styrofoam, plywood and insulating polyurethane foam, among other materials. Tests later revealed that some of the charred pieces contained bisphenol A, a substance toxic to the liver.
Still, an independent soil decontamination expert found no health risks, the province said on Tuesday. Tomorrowland also confirmed that water quality tests allow the use of most ponds, with one pond remaining closed to fishermen.
Damage to De Schorre itself was limited to scorching in the domain's Magical Troll Forest. While the majority of the domain will open on 15 August - following the original schedule - the area around the burned main stage will remain closed while insurance experts complete their work. It is expected to reopen later this month.
Cause unknown
A judicial inquiry into the cause of the fire is under way. The Antwerp public prosecutor’s office is also conducting a separate investigation into possible errors in the storage of fireworks at Tomorrowland.
VRT NWS reported earlier this month that prosecutors had identified three “shortcomings”: fireworks were present too early, unauthorised people had access to them, and there was no mandatory written notification to the FPS Economy's safety department about the timing of their delivery and placement.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO TOM GOYVAERTS
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