Toxic leak at Villeroy & Boch in Roeselare, 30,000 liters of polyester leaked, partly into the sewers: “Keep windows and doors closed” | Roeselare

The incident happened just before 5 p.m. For an unknown cause, a leak occurred and approximately 3,000 liters of polyester disappeared into the sewer. The 4 night shift employees noticed this and immediately notified the fire brigade. A little later they left the company, the morning team was advised not to go to work. No one has come into contact with the substance, which is harmful by inhalation and irritating to the eyes and skin. There was significant odor nuisance in the area. Surrounding companies had to keep windows and doors closed, but the emergency services were allowed to resume their activities. Local residents also had to keep windows and doors closed and switch off ventilation systems.

Villeroy & Boch, which employs 80 workers and 30 employees in Roeselare, has a system in which the sewerage system is automatically closed in the event of incidents like this. However, a considerable amount of polyester was able to flow away because the leak was only noticed after some time. This happens rather slowly, thanks to the winter cold. Because it was not clear where exactly the substance ended up, the fire brigade carried out measurements in the sewers on the street but also in many surrounding companies. The Civil Protection also came by. “They brought extra measuring equipment because we had to take measurements in a fairly large area as quickly as possible,” says Captain Rob Nachtergaele of the Midwest emergency response zone.

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According to Nachtergaele, there has been no danger to the area or the environment since Tuesday morning. “A large part of the chemical has spread across the concrete floor at the rear of the company. The rest ended up in the sewers. The winter cold causes the product to drain rather slowly. It is dry and no rain is forecast. That also plays into our hands. The product is lighter than water and therefore floats on the surface. That makes it easier to remove it. A specialized company will clear the safe.”

The further spread of the toxic substance has been stopped by, among other things, closing the connection to the sewerage in the company and a number of measures outside the company. “The dust will be sucked away and then the sewers will be flushed. We will repeat this process again afterwards to ensure that no residues of toxic products remain in the sewers,” concludes Rob Nachtergaele.

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