Blankenberge has to pay brasserie penalty of 10,000 euros per day

According to the mayor, fire trucks can get through. The city did install additional signage yesterday.

The owners of Brasserie Oosterstaketsel in Blankenberge are very concerned about fire safety. The stage for the recordings of the VRT and Radio 2 show Zomerhit makes it very difficult for emergency services to drive onto the picket fence. The owners contacted the city but, according to their own words, received no response. So they filed a unilateral petition. The city must pay a double penalty of 10,000 euros per day as long as the picket fence is inaccessible and does not meet fire safety standards.

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Immediate action

The city received the petition yesterday and immediately took action, says mayor Björn Prasse. Yesterday, before the first recordings took place, 20 extra signaling boards were placed. According to the city, the picket fence is indeed accessible and fire trucks can drive up the picket fence. This has been tested by the Emergency Service Zone 1 and there is a written report of it, the mayor said. The city therefore does not intend to pay.

The concerns of Ann Warrinnier and her husband Francis De Vleminck are not surprising. In June 2006 Brasserie Oosterstaketsel completely burned down. It wasn’t until two years later that they were able to reopen their business. They think it’s good that events are organized and welcome it, but safety must remain guaranteed.

Meanwhile, their brasserie will remain closed today. Suppliers can barely reach the store, says Ann Warrinnier. The recordings for Zomerhit run until August 19.